Faith is a gift, but it’s also a fight. When God gives you something, He doesn’t always hand it to you, sometimes He points to it and says, “There it is”. The Israelites knew what that felt like. God promised them a new land, but told them, “I have begun to give it to you; now begin to take possession.” In other words, God started it, but they had to step into it. That’s how faith works. God invites us to move toward what He’s already declared is ours. Along the way, we learn that victory is never passive. It takes courage to show up, humility to surrender, and love to keep fighting.

God said you would win. He didn’t say you wouldn’t have to fight.

1. Win the War Within

Before we can win the battles around us, we need to confront the ones within us. James 4:1 reminds us that external fights are often the result of internal conflicts in the battleground of our souls and minds. There is a war inside of us where jealousy, pride, control, and unmet expectations rise up, often leading us to blame others for the way we feel and react.

Like smoke rising from a fire, our emotions reveal what’s burning beneath the surface. Anger, bitterness, and resentment are signs that something deeper in our hearts needs healing. The only way to win this inner war is to invite God into it. Peace begins within. You’re not weak for struggling; you’re strong for surrendering.

For your additional study: James 4:1-2, NIV

2. Win the War Together

Faith was never meant to be a solo mission. We’re part of a spiritual army, called to fight with others, not against them. The cross doesn’t only say, “You are forgiven.” It also says, “You must forgive.” Unity rooted in love is both our strength and our strategy.

When we contend for faith, we also contend for love, the kind that strengthens our families, heals our communities, and brings hope to those who haven’t yet experienced the love of Jesus. The truth is, we can’t win battles in the world if we’re losing them at home. The fight for faith starts where we are: in our homes, our friendships, and our church family. So ask yourself: who’s standing beside you? Are you on the same side, contending together in love?

For your additional study: Matthew 5:23-24

Life without love is empty, which is why we fight for it. It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it. As we keep showing up and fighting for what matters most, we can rest knowing that with God, every battle is moving us from struggle to victory. When we learn to love ourselves and those around us, God calls us to take that same love beyond our circles and into the world. Realizing that love isn’t just our strategy, it’s also our goal, the fight stops being about survival and starts being about purpose.