“The strongest people in my life are the ones who know how to win battles behind closed doors that no one knows about. They know how to rise above the hard and pursue the holy. And they know that bad days do not equal a bad life.”- Nicki Koziarz
“I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but rather, I believe in order that I may understand.”- St. Anselm
In Chapter 1 (“The Mess of Me”) of Flooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life is Hard and Doubt is Rising, Nicki Koziarz starts with this honest and upfront assertion. You are actually the greatest struggle you will ever have in your life.
Certainly, Nicki observes, life often feels like a bully. Life throws punches at us we didn’t even see coming. For a moment, that punch takes us out. But, Nicki stresses, how you jump back in is your decision. Therefore, Nicki exhorts:
“We all have to fight through hard days. But have your hard days left the lingering effect of doubt in your eyes? At the end of hard days, it is still you versus you. Sometimes we’re the mess. And sometimes we have to be the mop. No one will clean up those messy soul places for us.”
Hence, Nicki underscores, like Noah, doubt attempts to rise every step you take. Yet, the problem is still going to be . . . you. As a result, Nicki asks, will you allow your belief struggle to rise to the surface? Or continue to stuff it down? Nicki continues:
“Hard seasons can cause us to look at God in an unhealthy way. Instead of asking God what He needs us to see in these seasons, we may constantly find ourselves asking Him if He really knows what He is doing. It’s not our questions for God that lead to unhealthiness, but rather our questioning of God.
Finally, Nicki believes you’re dealing with a heart wrestling with doubt if you:
- look at life and all you see is pain and sorrow
- settle for mediocre, comfortable, and expected
- know God told you to do something and it doesn’t feel possible
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you win battles behind closed doors? Please share.
Coming Monday: the August Short Meditation, “With hands lifted high – fight on my knees”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Belief and unbelief – our soul conflict”
