Our biggest battle in life is not external. Our biggest battle in life is not them. It’s not their sin. It’s not their mistakes. It’s not their faults. It’s not their stuff.

It’s really not.

Our biggest battle is not them. Our biggest battle is us. Our biggest battle is our stuff, our faults, our mistakes, our sin.

I have no control over “them.” Most times, I have very little control over “me.” But here’s the thing. I still have more control over me than I do over them.

I think that’s one of the reasons why Jesus says things like He says in Matthew 6: 16-18:

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

He says when you fast (by the way, to my detriment, he doesn’t say “if” you fast. But when. I haven’t, and most churches haven’t taught fasting as we should) don’t make a big deal about it. Don’t walk around looking sad. Don’t act like it’s a big deal in front of others.

Don’t do it for them. Don’t do it for them to see. Do it for you. Do it so you can learn. So you can grow. So you can be more faithful and learn.

Do it to fight the battle within you. It’s not about them. It’s about you.

So is your biggest battle. It’s about you, and your daily battle to be faithful and to grow.

So, when you fast, or do any other act of faithfulness, it’s not about them. It’s about you and your own walk. Do it for that reason.

If you do it for your own pride, or your own recognition, that’s it. That’s all that you will receive from it.

But when you do it for your own soul, God will do amazing things in your life. That’s our biggest battle. Not with them, but with us.

Today, may we fight the good fight. May we look within. And may God do amazing things within us.

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