On Conquering

As you already know, I’m a big, fat, scaredy-cat. I’m frightened of everything - the future, being wrong, public restrooms, failure, the big dog next door, being permanently unemployed, heights, driving in heavy traffic –you get the point, and yes, I’m pretty much neurotic. So if Christ has said that I am more than a conqueror through Him (Rom. 8:37), why can’t I overcome these things?  When I think of a conqueror, I imagine someone who carries heavy weapons, is covered in armor, and is able to defeat any foe.  Um, yeah, that’s so not me.  I’m a mess of tangled hair in shorts and a t-shirt wielding a cup of coffee.  I’m barely ready to face the day much less the enemy of my soul.

But as I think about this verse and the ones surrounding it, I realize that the word conqueror isn’t the emphasis here.  The words through Him are the ones that matter.  And then the light bulb comes on: I’ve been placing emphasis on the wrong thing. I don’t have to conquer anything.  It’s not my job.  He loves me and makes it possible for me to do all things through Him.  He’s already defeated every enemy I will ever encounter because He loves me and on top of that, nothing can ever separate me from that love (Rom. 8:38-39).

As I understand this, it is possible for me to address my idiosyncrasies. I recognize that He has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).  I don’t have to be timid or distressed because I am moving forward in His great love (that nothing can ever separate me from) and I am progressing through Him.

There are so many things we don’t have control over.  People and circumstances are always available to help us forget that God is on our side.  But, life becomes much less intimidating when I remember He’s already gone ahead and I’m just traveling across with Him.  Let’s focus on Him instead of the conquering. He’s already won the battle and is here wayfaring with us; all we have to do is trust.