Some time ago, I had a mysterious rash on my legs that baffled me and my doctors. Over a period of months, we worked together to try to discover the cause and the cure. I sought the Lord in earnest prayer the whole time, trusting Him to heal me. Even so, my symptoms grew worse, and I began to lose heart. One day, as I wept and poured out my heart to the Lord, I sensed His voice saying to me, "Believe Me for the victory." I dug into God's Word and found some powerful Scriptures on the subject of victory, and I began to declare them day and night. My hope soared, and I was able to stand in faith for the healing that eventually came.

I've discovered that when our circumstances are so alarming or discouraging that it's hard for us to pray or to trust God, we can believe Him for victory, and begin thanking Him for it by faith. We serve a God who is victory-minded. You don't have to spend very much time in the Scriptures to discover that victory is the Lord's will for His children in every situation and circumstance. First Corinthians 15:57 (NASB) says, "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This was the first declaration of faith that I began to confess many times a day as I believed God for my healing. Another was, "Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ." (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV) Notice the word, "always," in this verse. This is the Lord's assurance that no matter how our situation looks, He is willing and able to make a way for us where there seems to be none.

It's important for us to cooperate with God for the victory by giving our battles over to Him. When I had worn myself out trying to receive my healing that time, it finally dawned on me that I was trying to win the battle in my own strength. I was constantly thinking and talking about my health problems, and trying to figure out what to do about them. I said I was trusting God, but my actions proved otherwise. I finally went to the Lord and told Him - "I'm giving this battle over to You, Lord, and I'm asking You to fight it for me, and to win it on my behalf." Then I began thanking Him for the victory in advance. It made all the difference. I was able to get on with my life, and to walk in the peace and joy that are my inheritance in Christ, all the while knowing that God was working on my problems. The Bible says: "We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!" (2 Chronicles 32:8 NLT) Whenever we let God do the fighting, we simply can't lose, because He's never lost a battle yet.

No matter what kind of difficulty you are facing right now, rest assured that victory is the Lord's will for you. May this precious promise from His Word encourage your heart today: "Cheer up, don't be afraid. For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory!" (Zephaniah 3:17 TLB)

Prayer: Lord, make me victory-minded like You. In every situation I face, show me what I need to do to cooperate with You for the victory. Remind me that if I try to fight my own battles, I'll end up weary, worn, and defeated. Thank You that no matter how my situation looks, overwhelming victory is mine in Christ! (Romans 8:37 NLT)