This is War!

As I have stated before, I struggle with depression. Some days it is almost nonexistent and then there are others where the feeling of hope is almost nonexistent. Today is one of those days without light. One of those days where as hard as I try, I find absolutely nothing. I feel empty and worthless. Today is war. The Christian life is filled with conflicts and attacks from the devil and his demons. Sometimes it feels like he is winning, but there is victory in knowing that Christ has already won. When in war, it is important to A) know who it is you are fighting, B) know fywhat it is you are given to fight with, and C) know who it is that fights with you.
A) Who are you fighting?
Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
In other words, we aren't fighting each other. God gives you brothers and sisters to help you through this. I was told recently that if you keep it to yourself you deprive yourself of the blessing of having someone to share your burden, but you also deprive them of the blessing of sharing your burden with you. Our fight is against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world, the devil's allies. However, it is in this PRESENT darkness. Meaning that the present will become the past and Christ's eternal reign will end the battle forever. The darkness only lasts for so long. The fight will end and Christ will reign and the devil will be defeated. This is an encouragement to all Christians. God will defeat the enemy and he will be a foot stole.
B) What do you have to fight with?
Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
God doesn't just save us and throw us out into the middle of a war. He equips us with armor so that we may stand and fight. We are not under law, if we were under law we would not have what it takes to fight but rather a greater burden to carry into the fight. John Bunyan put it this way, "Run, John, Run the law commands, but gives me neither feet nor hands; Better news the Gospel brings, it bids me fly and gives me wings."  God will never desert one of his children. He will always give them everything they need for a battle. God give us the WHOLE armor. Not just a defense but an offense as well. God tells us to fight and then gives us His word, the sword of the spirit, to fight with. If you meditate on God's word and read his word, when these times come you will have something to fight back with.
C) Who fights with you?
Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
First of all, we have this great cloud of witnesses with us. These are saints of the past who have already tread the path we are on. The devil likes to use the same old tricks he used on saints of the past to try and ensnare saints right now. Whatever you may be going through, someone else has gone through it and won. This is an encouragement to Christians everywhere. We also have believers all around us who can help us through this. God gives us brothers and sisters in Christ and they can help you and pray for you, but you must let them know how to pray for you. They have the Holy Spirit but they are not psychic. Will God get you through it without you sharing with others? I can't answer that one, God can do anything but he delights in working through his children. So share what you are going through with someone else and it will only make your offense that much stronger. Remember Moses on the hill fighting as Israel was fighting Amalek. As long as Moses raised his arms to God Israel would win, but when Moses' arms were down, Israel would lose. Moses had Aaron and Hur to help hold up his hands. God gives help to His children. God also gives you His Son to fight along side you. In fact, God gave you His Son to win the battle. You are not alone in your fight. So fight the good fight of faith, pray to God for help during this time, share with fellow believers what you are struggling with, and trust in the Lord with all your might for He will bring you through this.