HOUSE OF ROBERTS BLOG

I think that there are a few words that are synonymous with a guy, and I would argue that one of those words would be “fight”. If you had brothers or close friends growing up, I guarantee that you guys fought. I’d also bet that it started off fun then it turned serious, eventually someone cried, and then it was over. It’s the one thing that my two boys do consistently right now, they fight. It’s not even bad or mean fighting, it’s just that at least twice a day, usually when they are getting ready for school and when it’s time for bed the two Roberts boys can be found wrestling, and usually one of them is naked. Don’t ask me why, it’s just how things roll with the Roberts boys right now. 

Fighting is not an abnormal thing for most boys, and I would say that it’s not a bad thing. I believe that God created males with the capacity and the strength to fight. Why? Because we are called to be leaders, and as a leader, you have to be able to take hits and fight in order to pioneer new ground. When you’re young, you fight other guys for the wrong reasons, but as you grow older that instinct to fight is supposed to evolve and be purified so that you would fight the God-directed opponents, for the right reasons. 

That is where the problem lies for most dads. We take that God-given instinct to fight and direct it at the wrong opponent for the wrong reason. We think our fight is with a boss, an industry, a church, life in general, or even our spouse. And when you fight the wrong opponent for the wrong reasons there is always collateral damage. For dads, that damage can be your health (mental, emotional, or physical), it can be your marriage or your relationship with your kids. With that said, what or who do we fight? 

The apostle Paul gives us a target in 1 Timothy 6:12 when he tells us to, “Fight the good fight for the true faith.” When you decide to truly follow Jesus, it will lead you to go against the cultural norms. This faith has you talking differently, treating people differently, handling your money differently, managing your schedule differently, and to do that will require a fighting spirit. Decide to put God first in your life and watch the resistance come. 

Some people think that something is wrong if they experience any type of resistance in this Christian walk, I would argue the opposite. I think that when you find yourself in a fight to follow Jesus, you’re headed in the right direction. Why? Because there is a devil out there who does not want you to become the man of God you were created to become, and he is scared to death of what will happen if you fully surrender to the creator of the universe. Therefore, he places obstacles and resistance in your path to discourage you, or he tries to distract you by giving you something or someone else to fight.  

Following Jesus is not for the weak of heart, it will take that fighting spirit that may be lying dormant on the inside of you Dad. What do you feel like the Holy Spirit is asking you to do? Or as you are reading your Bible, what do you feel like it is asking you to do or change? That is your fight and that is a good fight. Fight for that, dad. 

Did I mention that in this fight you’re not alone? You have the Holy Spirit on the inside of you, who is going to strengthen you, and who will fight alongside you. So fight! Fight the good fight of faith!