“Some days I feel like a broken record. (Emphasis on the broken.)

The same miscommunication, the go-to blame game, the usual disagreement.

The well-known definition of insanity comes to mind: doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.

Like playing the same record over and over and hating it and wanting to change to a new record because it’s just not right.

It’s all broken. A broken record.

So how do you change? How do you fix it so you don’t keep replaying the same fight? How do you let go and move forward?

I’m spinning round and round on this crazy record, hitting every bump and getting dizzier with each rotation.

I’m all alone in my thoughts, a tangled up web. All connecting but all chaotic.

No rhyme or reason and I miss the peace, the season where it flowed together better and made more sense than it does now.

How do I get off this broken record that won’t stop spinning, that won’t stop singing a cacophony of lies?

I’m tired of fighting.

The music goes quiet and the silence is maddening.”

~

If I can be raw and real for a moment, this piece of writing came after an argument with my husband. I revisited it last week because, once again, I was having a disagreement with my husband.

But God. ❤️ He spoke into my spirit, “Your fight isn’t with him.”

And the truth that I’ve known in my head for years traveled down to my heart and found a place to take root.

My fight isn’t with my husband. My struggle isn’t against him.

My fight is with the enemy.

It’s with the unseen, not the seen.

It’s against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world – and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It’s so much bigger than I realize.

This is why I need to stand firm. This is why I have need of perseverance. This is why I need the full armor of God in place – so I can take my stand against the devil’s schemes.

I don’t want to be ignorant anymore.

This matters. Fighting the right fight matters. For my heart. For my marriage. For my kids. For my family and beyond.

Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-18 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (NIV‬‬)

I need to be equipped with this holy armor so that I can be alert and stand firm against the enemy. My fight is with him, not with the people in my life.

If you have time, I encourage you to read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. Verses 15-17 are a few of my favorites in the whole Bible… “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'” (NIV)

We must stand firm, beside our spouse. We must face the real enemy – as a team. We must rest in the truth that while we endure battles on this earth, Jesus has already won the war.

Let’s not be ignorant of the enemy’s scheme for us to fight people. Our struggle isn’t against people. We defeat the devil and overcome evil when we lay down our weapons against people.

Marriage is sanctifying, isn’t it? I think it challenges us to become more selfless or more selfish. Marriage is hard work because it’s HEART work. It’s the same with parenting; it’s the same with your relationship with God. It’s not easy, but it’s always worth it.

If you’re fighting with your spouse right now, please know that you’re not alone. But please don’t keep fighting the wrong fight. I encourage you to take a step toward unity. Do what you can. Speak their love language. Receive God’s love and go love your spouse with His love. Treat your spouse how you want to be treated. Don’t give up. Keep fighting FOR your marriage!

❤️

This Week’s Song Suggestions:

• “O’ Lord” by Lauren Daigle
• “Echo” by Elevation Worship
• “It Is Well” by Kristene DiMarco