(This first posted on September 14, 2017.)

Every day is a battle—for truth versus deception. For relational intimacy versus isolation. For growth and godliness versus sin and self-destruction. Ultimately, for love toward God and others versus idolatry of self.

This—the battle against self—is by far my greatest battle. This is what threatens to derail me more than any outward casualty or setback I may experience. Self-love leads me toward self-elevation (which is idolatry). Agape love centers me in the will of Christ.

At their root, each of these is a battle between light and darkness.

Two extremes, continually pitted against one another. The only solution? Surrender to Jesus Christ.

It’s almost ironic, as I type this this morning, over a week before it will go “live,” I am and have been in the throws of this battle, one I thought I’d won but a week prior. And the week before that. And the week before that as I prayerfully “crucify my flesh” as Scripture puts it, asking the Holy Spirit to give me the strength to offer all of me to Him as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).

And yet, here I am again, resisting the ugly within me so the pure, honorable, self-sacrificing love of Christ can shine forth.

My battle plan? Prayer and praise as I seek to be filled with more and more of Christ, knowing when that happens, all else will fade away. Because He is my treasure, and this present world is short but eternity is forever.

About five years ago, I spoke to women living in a women and children’s shelter in Kansas City, women who had lost nearly everything—their homes, their livelihoods, their self-respect. Some were experiencing the consequences of poor choices. Some were, but not all. Others were simply in a really rough place, likely crying out to God, asking Him why. Why had He allowed them to reach that place?

Did He not see them? Was He deaf to their cries? Had He forgotten them?

Did He not care?

But what if, in fact, His attentive eye was zeroed in on them, in the middle of their darkness, as He shined His love and light through them?

That night, I shared the story of Joseph, a man who, from the very beginning had been given an incredible promise from God—that God would raise him, second to the youngest of twelve sons, to a place of leadership, where the rest of his family would “bow down” to him.

If you’re familiar with this account, you know God had much more planned for Joseph than simply familial leadership. But first, Joseph went through some incredibly hard years facing struggles and humiliation that would, quite frankly, send me hiding in by bedroom with the blankets pulled up to my chin and a big ol’ bag of tootsie rolls within reach.

You can read his story in its entirety in Genesis 37-51, but to paraphrase, God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery, dragged to a foreign land where he was stripped of all rights and forced to spend his every waking moment in service to another, and then thrown into prison. And at each step, he was given a choice: focus on himself and all he’d lost or perhaps all he “deserved,” (after all, he’d been called, personally, by Creator God!), or surrender and live, 100% in obedience to and for the glory of His Creator.

Because he chose the latter, he shined the light of God in the middle of some incredibly dark places.

I believe this was the battle God had called him to, and make no mistake, it was an intense, moment-by-moment battle! This was also the battle God called Timothy to, as he pastored that church, filled with false teaching and division, in Ephesus. And it’s a battle God calls each one of us to, as we stand against discontentment, selfish ambition, and greed—the very attitudes that had caused the false teachers in Ephesus to wreak such destruction (1 Tim. 1:6-7, 6:4-5).

And so, this brings our study full-circle with the reminder that it’s all about love. God’s kind of love. A love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

We can fight many battles in any given day, but the battle that wars within is the most vital, because everything else stems from that. We are most effective when we are most yielded to God’s Spirit at work within and through us. He has a plan, a good, victorious plan, for tackling whatever battle is warring around us, and He may (or may not) use us to fight it.

But make no mistake; He’s the One who will do the fighting. He’s the One who will win the victory. Our role is quite simple—to surrender and obey. If we do anything else, we’ll merely be getting in His way.

For those who’ve been following the 1 Timothy Bible study, this weekend, I encourage you to take time review what you’ve learned in the previous weeks. Journal what God has shown you, and simply take time to rest at His feet. Make Romans 12:1 your prayer:

Dear Lord, in view of Your mercy, in view of all You’ve done for me, help me to offer my body—my time, my thoughts, my will; my whole self—to You, as a living sacrifice because of all You have done for me. May that be how I, daily, worship You.”

Pray this prayer often, and then wait and see what God does. Wait and see how He uses you to bring healing to the hurting, life to the dead, and sight to the blind.

What resonated most with you in today’s post? What inner battle do you tend to fight the most, and what can you do today to strengthen your connection with Christ–the One who has equipped and empowered us for victory? What are some ways you fight the battle against self-love?

Share your thoughts and insights with us, because we can all learn from one another! And make sure to check out the latest Faith Over Fear Podcast episode.

How to Heal When Emotional Pain Won't Go Away – Faith Over Fear

Many of us fear that our deepest wounds will permanently define us and we'll never again experience joy. A betrayal. A divorce. A devastating loss. A season that changed everything. We wonder: Will I ever be okay again? Will I ever trust again? Will I always carry this pain? In this honest conversation, Carol sits down with her pastor, Jim Kinder, to discuss what healing really looks like and how to live from an identity rooted in Christ instead of an identity rooted in pain. Jim shares his personal story of walking through betrayal, seeking counseling, leaning on men in his faith community, and ultimately experiencing restoration, a healthy marriage and renewed purpose. Together, they explore why what is temporary should never define what is eternal. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why our worst experiences don't define us How betrayal can distort our identity The role healthy community plays in healing What healing does and doesn't look like How counseling and spiritual growth work together How to recognize when you're moving from surviving to healing Building healthy relationships after painful experiences Practical ways to avoid bitterness The first thing someone needs to hear after experiencing betrayal Find Jim Kinder at Orange Beach Church Find Carol McCracken: On her website  On Facebook On Instagram Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. How to Heal When Emotional Pain Won't Go Away 33:40
2. Why You Feel Overwhelmed Even When Life Seems Okay 33:00
3. How to Move Forward When Trust Is Broken 27:25
4. How to Experience Strength for Overwhelming Assignments Through the Names of God 30:56
5. How to Know if Your Difficult Relationship is Toxic 42:04

And catch the latest Your Daily Bible Verse podcast episode here:

How to Know When You Are Following God's Will (Psalm 25:4-5) – Your Daily Bible Verse

Today's Bible Verse:: "Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." — Psalm 25:4–5 One of the most common questions Christians ask is, "How do I know if I'm following God's will?" David offers a simple but powerful answer in Psalm 25:4–5. Rather than demanding immediate answers, he begins with a humble prayer, asking God to teach him, guide him, and lead him in truth. Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Membertoday: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribeLooking for a peaceful way to end your day?  Listen to "Your Nightly Scripture" to end your day with God's word Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce. Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1. How to Know When You Are Following God's Will (Psalm 25:4-5) 07:50
2. Why Would God Delight in Crushing His Son? (Isaiah 53:10) 09:07
3. The Surprising Message behind the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:5-6) 06:53
4. How God Builds Unshakable Trust Through Difficult Seasons (Judges 2:7) 08:13
5. Promised Peace in Anxious Times (Philippians 4:6-7) 08:06