You may think the preacher is blowing smoke. All I ask is that you consider your circumstances. Are you
happy? Are you satisfied? Do you lay down at night and feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day?
Are you content with what your life has accomplished? Does your life have purpose? When you are 80+
and all is said and done, will you be pleased with the legacy you are leaving? If so, get after it. Go grab
the world by the tail. If not, you fall into the category with the other 99.9% of the world. Don’t just give
up and don’t settle for less than. All I’m suggesting is that you know your playing field; be aware of all
the obstacles you are facing. Also, and most importantly, know that the God of all the universe has
opened up a door for you to gain all the purpose in the world. He’s made it possible for you to shake off
your dark companions of fear and anxiety and gain the strong peace that comes from His presence.
These aren’t tangible realities that you can buy in the store or earn in the company, but they are real
nonetheless. How do you gain them? How do you find victory over the enemies you face?

Victory comes from Jesus. He has always been the Only Source of freedom and rescue from darkness
and defeat. But victory doesn’t come just because you can say His name or know some of His truth.
Victory is found in the presence of Jesus. Why? Because that is the only place the enemy can’t stay.
That’s right, we have an enemy. I realize some of you are ready to check out at this point. Again, I’d ask,
how many battles are you fighting right now that you can’t seem to win? Isn’t it at least possible there is
a spiritual reality you haven’t considered? We all know hope is a real thing. It is what keeps people alive
in the most desperate situations. Peace is a real thing. It’s the reality we all hope for in war. I believe
these assets come from God. If the intangibles hope and peace are real, even though they can’t be
touched or bought, doesn’t it stand to reason that fear and depression also have a source? Peace and
fear are absolutely at odds with one another. Doesn’t it also make sense that the sources of two realities
can struggle? I’m not talking about Star Wars. I’m thinking about the battle for our souls Jesus fought for
us on the cross.

I can say from experience, if you want peace, Jesus has it and you can get it. You don’t need to impress
Him. You just need to ask for it. Think I’m making it up? Try it and see! Here’s my point, so many people
live with defeat every day. We just get by. Jesus created us for so much more. But the only way to find
relief is in Him.

I love Psalm 60. Here’s some of what it says: “You have rejected us, O God, and broken our
defenses…you have shaken our land and split it open…you’ve been very hard on us…but you have raised
a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack…now rescue your beloved people.
Answer us and save us by your power.”

Does that resonate with you? Certainly, the place we live is shaken and split. We feel rejected and
defenseless against unseen enemies. But God has raised a defense for us. That banner, that rallying
point is Jesus. I challenge you to turn to Him. You’ve tried everything else. Medication doesn’t work.
Social media only makes us more lonely. Drugs and alcohol are empty in their goals and powerful in
their attack. They leave us feeling more helpless. Jesus is the missing link! He’s the Only One who can
rescue you from the darkness and depths you find yourself in. Will you ask Him to save you?