Last Updated on May 2, 2019 by Stacy Averette

Today is D-Day. I wouldn’t have remembered were it not for a reminder on my screen this morning. I clicked the news link and read the summary unaware of the ambush about to take place in my own life.

D-Day

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s crack troops.

As I read, the details of the story sit heavy on my heart again. I think about the man in my church who was there that day and I’m thankful for the privilege of knowing him. I try to imagine what it must have been like that day, going into battle, hoping for victory. What thoughts and feelings collide as you go to war, ready to lay down your life if necessary, as the price of freedom? I can only imagine. But I am thankful for all those who have been willing and ready.

My Decision Day

The Holy Spirit intercepts my thoughts and questions and fires them back at me.

Stacy, why are you accepting so much less than full victory? Why do you continue fighting your battles alone when you have The Ally on your side? He is victorious and all the heavily-fortified forces in this world will never defeat Him.

My thoughts and feelings collide as I remember the conversation I had with Eric on the drive to church yesterday. I confessed my disobedience and the consequences I carry. The cycle looks like this:

Me: God, here I am. I’m giving myself to you and I trust you with my life.  What do you want me to do? How can I serve you and others today and throughout this life?

God: Child of mine, I want you to do ____________ with ____________.

Me: (thinking to myself as if God doesn’t know my thoughts): Uhm. I can’t do that. You know I can’t do that. I don’t have the skills, the connections, or the courage to do any of that.

This is the point in the conversation prayer at which God wants me to stop and listen to His words in The Word reminding me of the only Truth that will ensure victory and set me free:

I can do all the things God calls me do because He gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

You’ve already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Stay with me, and I will stay with you. You cannot produce fruit if you’ve severed yourself from the vine, and you can’t be fruitful unless you’re with me. John 15: 3-4

How often I have joined forces with The Ally, stepping into the boat bound for battle, desiring victory, yet refusing to follow through with His plan of attack for the purpose of my sanctification and His glory. I stay in the shadows, far from the front line, where it seems safe and comfortable. Except that it isn’t.

As I write these words I am reminded of the series my pastor is preaching on the dangers of disobedience. God is revealing to me the heavy price I’m paying for choosing not to follow Him when the way seems risky, out of my comfort zone. The temptation to disobey in the name of my safety and security is, well, tempting.

But today, as a daughter of the One True King, I take full advantage of my blood-bought forgiveness and redemption and choose a better way.

Our Decision Day

Today is our D-Day.  The day we can decide again to lay down the life we have planned and join forces with The Always Victorious Ally. Tweet this

We’ve been part-time losers in some areas of our life and God wants us to have full victory by yielding to His will and ways. If we listen He’ll speak to us about some specific areas where we’ve settled for less than His best.

Our Victory in Jesus

We can have victory in Jesus over:

  • sin
  • death
  • emotions
  • fear
  • addiction (yes I struggle in some areas)
  • insecurity

On this journey God will reveal areas in our life that we need surrender.

What about you? Are you accepting something less than full victory in Jesus? How can I pray for you?

Our sanctification—the process by which God takes sinful people, you and me, and makes us holy—is God’s will for us (I Thessalonians 4:3). Conversion is the end of our old life and the beginning of the real work God wants to do in us. Since you and I are still alive, then our process of sanctification is ongoing. Will you join me on the journey? Let’s press on together!

D-Day, surrender, victory in Jesus

 

 

 

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3 thoughts on “How to Always Win at Life”

  1. I so know what you are saying. I feel stuck in the mud and can’t seem to move. I see the bank and the way to go but I can’t get moving. Someone told me the other day I needed to find my inner child. That would be fine if I knew where to look. I never got to be a normal kid. I enjoy your post so much.

    1. Sherry, I’ve learned that “feeling stuck”, (as painful as it is to us “go-getters”), is one of the ways God slows me down, gets my attention, gives me rest, and points me a new direction. God is right in the thick of it with you! And even if you never got to be a normal kid, you are still His child. I’ll be praying for you! Thanks so much for reading and sharing your heart with me.

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