Put Down the White Flag #NoBackingDown Guest Post

Put Down the White Flag
by Christie Love

When life gets hard our self preservation instincts often kick in.  We back away from tough tasks. We avoid situations that may involve conflict. We search for the easier path to take that does not have as many obstacles. We are quick to get offended when our feelings are hurt. We break off relationships that have become challenging. This is what I call the white flag approach to life-- giving up at the first sign of struggle to avoid pain and problems.

Too many Christian Women today are conforming to this way of life that our society has settled for. We have allowed ourselves to seek the easy roads on convenience over the challenging paths of purpose. We have allowed ourselves to believe the lies of an enemy who has whispered into the ears of generations of believers, "You are not strong enough to do this so you might as well not even try."  Satan is smart.  He knows that as long as we are seeking comfort over challenge God cannot grow or shape us into the woman that he has called us to be.

The process of being grown, shaped, and changed into the likeness of Christ is not an easy one and cannot happen inside of our comfort zones. Soft clay cannot be made strong and sturdy without going through the finishing fire.  Wood cannot be used to build a strong, stable structure without being measured, cut, and pounded into place.  Metal cannot be formed into a powerful weapon without being melted, molded, and shaped.

In the same way women cannot be developed into the strong, stable, powerful person that God wants us to be without experiencing challenging circumstances. When God identifies a weakness in our walk he will often allow situations to come into our lives that isolate and improve those weak areas. When we are  tempted to wave the white flag and run away from these seasons of strengthening and stretching we need to meditate on the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:

The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 MSG

It is not always easy or comfortable to allow God to grow us; however, it is important to resist the urge to back down when tough times come. Imagine the impact that this generation of women could have on this world if we would all join together and lay down our white flags as the ultimate act of surrender to God! Women uniting together in purpose and committing to hold one another accountable to a promise to not back down... that would be a powerful force of faith!

I invite you to make this commitment today in your life by declaring this statement out loud between you and God.  Share your commitment with another woman in your life and invite her to help hold you accountable to standing firm and strong in the face of adversity.  Print these words off as a reminder to you of this powerful promise that you are making to follow God no matter what road he leads you down.

Today I am committing that when I face circumstances that seem bigger than what I can handle- I will remember that they are not bigger than the God that I serve.  I trust God to not only guide me through tough times but also to grow me and my faith through them as well.  I refuse to withdraw in the face of adversity and instead of approaching challenges with fear- I am choosing to boldly walk forward in faith to face them.  I will accept tough times as personal invitations from God to draw nearer to him and go deeper in my walk with him.  I am laying down my white flag and removing retreating as an option in my life.  I will not back down when the enemy tries to distract or detour me.  I will focus on the truth of God's word and answer his call on my life no matter what obstacles are in my way.


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Christie Love is the Founder and Executive Director of LeadHer, a national women's ministry with the goal to encourage and equip women to make a deeper impact on their world for Christ.  She is passionate about helping women to understand the influence and impact that they have on those around them so that they learn to live their lives with intention and integrity. You can learn more about LeadHer at www.leadher.org