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I'm Not the Enemy

We have always enjoyed the Rocky movies. I saw the first one when it came out a billion years ago and every one that has followed since.  I think Rocky Balboa was one of my favorites because it came out at a time when both my husband and I felt like we were getting beat up in the ring (so to speak) at a more "mature" season of our lives. Thankfully we were (and still are) in the same corner. God saw us through that season and even grew us in ways I never would have expected. Life is funny isn't it? The little blessings that come from what feels like taking a beating. So I really relate and appreciate some of Rocky's views on life as he relates it to boxing. One of my favorite quotes from Rocky to his son:



Needless to say, when the latest sequel, Creed, came out we couldn't wait to see it. Jim rarely goes to the movies with me. He prefers to watch it at home once it goes to DVD but we found Creed still playing last weekend in one theater while up against the other 13 of StarWars. 


I won't give anything away that you wouldn't see in the trailer. I loved this movie for so many reason but there is a scene that I particularly loved. Creed, seeks out Rocky to train him and while they are in the gym they face a mirror. Rocky tells Creed to look in the mirror, then he points to him and says something like, " This guy here. That's the toughest opponent you're ever going to have to face, I think that's true in the ring, and I think that's true in life." Whoa.... That's deep! I'm smiling because Yo, it's Rocky! But really isn't that so true? I know I am my own worst enemy. 

When I blow it or stumble I beat myself up more than anyone else. I remember a time when we first got married. I had done something stupid with the car and scrapped the whole side up. Jim came home, I was crying and carrying on and I was expecting him to be furious with me. Instead he said " I think you've beat yourself up enough over this, you don't need any help from me".  I can go on and on about all the stupid things I've done, things much worse than trashing the car. Things that I can still allow to recycle in my head and beat myself up all over again. It's a vicious cycle, living in my past and the mistakes I've made is paralyzingly and counter- productive. 

Or I can talk myself into believing I can't do something because I'm either not good enough, not qualified, not smart enough, not young enough or I will fail and look stupid. That's an enemy all right. My toughest opponent. It keeps me from moving forward. 

I have learned that the real enemy is Satan and he is the one who gets in my head reminding me of all my past mistakes. Telling me lies about myself causing me to doubt my potential. Lies that will keep me from living the life God has called me to live. Lies that tell me if I fail, I'm a failure or that I must not be good enough after all. We learn from mistakes and failures and we will grow from those. We are wise to learn from them not let them permanently keep us down.

I have also learned, and need to be continually reminded; that I cannot do anything apart from God. But with God, I can do all things. It is only by His grace and mercy I can even get up in the morning. So when I look in the mirror, I can say, " I'm a child of God, I'm not the enemy, God is on my side and today we are going to win at whatever punches life throws at me". 

Sometimes the hard hits from life do knock me to my knees but I don't have to let that keep me there. I can stand up, wipe the dirt off my knees and keep moving forward. That's progress and like the wise man Rocky Balboa said " that's how winning is done".  


-Pressing On 


“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Psalm 105:4 NIV


“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV


“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 NIV







Comments

  1. Shari KelleyJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:54 PM

    Connie, I love your posts! They are always so full of wisdom and God's truth. I like that quote from Rocky. It really rings true. I definitely am my own worst enemy. Such good advice to keep moving forward and remind ourselves who we are in Christ. Thank you! I hope your new year is off to a good start!

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