Chuck Bridges Blog

Someone defined discouragement as “the result of things not going the way we planned or expected.” I’m sure there are varying definitions that could be debated, but this one, right or wrong, seemed to resonate with recent history in my “Professional” journey. In Christian Ministry it is difficult to admit when we are just plain, old-fashoned discouraged! The influence of this intriguing ’state of mind’ is irrefutable. Since it takes on so many forms we don’t always recognize it’s subtle presentation but, the results are usually the same. We are tempted to retreat from the “source” of our discouragement!

In recent weeks our church has focused laser-attention on the topic called “Spiritual Warfare.” In the midst of trying to teach others how to recognize the manifestations of evil around us and how to overcome that which strives to defeat us, I have been beaten up by discouragement. No matter what the issues generating this response might be — whether justifiable or not — the end result is the same. Effectiveness in our life-calling is always circumvented by this lethal foe.

My attitude received a major adjustment last night while participating in a group discussion on one particular topic in the study of Spiritual Warfare. As I sat there mostly listening to others share, a statement was read that rocked me: “Few soldiers win battles when they no longer have a will to fight.” One of our faithful group members read this statement from a sheet of paper but it could not have been any more forceful than IF God had spoken it directly from the air!! Had I lost my “will to fight?” Was this condition now dictating how and even WHY I do what I do?

In just a short few moments I received something from the Lord that really changed some things for me. At the heart of all we strive to do is our WILL! Some could call this our motivation for performing, serving, designing, creating, managing, etc. (i.e. whatever it is that you do) We are defined as much by WHY we do things as we are by WHAT we do. People may see the WHAT but it is the WHY that shapes the value of the WHAT! (if that doesn’t make sense then hold on because I can get more ambiguous!)

For me, the “WILL to fight” represents my calling to be a leader in the Church of Jesus Christ. Leading a church is no doubt the most difficult challenge I have ever attempted in my life. Trying to supervise “Volunteers” is like balancing plates on a stick (neither of which I am very good at). Trying to keep everything “spinning” while simultaneously trying to “LEAD” towards new growth taxes every resource I have. When the “plates” start falling, all our attention moves to the plates and away from the “growth” stuff.

For now, I am breathing in the fresh air of renewal in my personal life. Thoughts are regaining clarity, passion, and direction. I have asked God to forgive my failures and to reignite my “Will to fight.” He can and will take care of all that is out of my control IF I will just wake up every day with a “WILL to Fight” for All that Jesus died for! I don’t know if any of this helps anyone out there. I just needed to try and articulate the energy in the NOW. Blessings!