I don’t know how much longer I will be here-standing, fighting-engaging in a battle I am sure to lose. I’ve taken hit after hit. I’ve suffered significant loss.My feet tremble underneath me.My faith wobbles.My resolve is drained.The enemy cheers. He is relentless in his attacks-taunting, poking, shaming me until I can barely lift my eyes.How much longer will he wait?Will he not plant the final blow to my wounded soul?Why keep me here: waiting, expecting, and hoping for the end to come?Why not finish me off and free me from this fight?Finally, it comes. The punch that knocks me to my knees. I laugh at my spiraling downfall. It has come! It has come! In the ashes, I find peace; I find rest. There’s a calmness now.My Commander calls my name, offering me drink from His canteen. The refreshing water floods my being, bringing new life to my soul. I rise again. My stature is tall and strong: my shield and sword in my hands. I laugh at my enemy. His eyes widen in horror.“I had you down.” His bellowing rattles the ground beneath me, yet I am not shaken. “This cannot be. You are a weakling. A mere mortal. You cannot defeat me.”Grace falls like rain, washing away the marks of his torture.“I can’t, but He can.”Behind me looms a shadow; it covers me and the ground I stand on. Unmeasurable strength overwhelms me as I assume my stance. I am His warrior. I am His daughter-His beloved.I bend my knees and anchor my feet to the solid ground.“Knock me down, and I will rise. You can beat me, taunt me, shame me; you will not win.”Motioning to the One standing behind me-I flash my sword-and grin.“When I fall, I fall on Him.”“The Lord is my strength.”~Habakkuk 3:19~