2335) When I taught high school, I was thoroughly shaken each time I witnessed a fight between kids.

I hated seeing them; it was often traumatic to me, especially when I knew the kids involved. Some fights were brutal.

As I reflect on this, it occurs to me that I have always viewed fights–whether physical or verbal  – as disconcerting and yet, Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7 that we must fight.

The fight Paul is referring to is the fight of our faith. I’ve read this verse multiple times but had never stopped and thought about the analogy of his words.

Why do we need to fight for our faith? I thought faith was God’s own fight to save us from eternal damnation, but I hadn’t considered I must fight, too.

Every time the world makes me think evil is winning; that the meek get squashed.

Every time I feel I want the temporary happiness those who are not God’s children seem to be experiencing.

Every time I feel my sacrifices of my faith don’t matter. All of these involve my need to fight for my faith.

Our faith is a precious thing; therefore, it’s worth fighting for. Looking at this fight with eyes of faith shows us that, eternally, the fight is worth the pain and effort it sometimes brings.