“We stand. We fight. We win!”

Have you noticed it? That tremor of fear in people’s voices lately? I hear it everywhere – in conversations about political change, in discussions about rebuilding after the storm, and even in talks about everyday challenges that now seem insurmountable. What breaks my heart most isn’t the problems themselves – it’s seeing people I love feeling helpless as if they’re being tossed about in whatever wind decides to blow.

Trust me, I get it. I’ve walked through my fair share of myself. But I’ve discovered something powerful along the way, something that keeps me standing when the winds blow: an unshakeable faith in God and His promises. Not just a Sunday morning faith, but a battle-tested, storm-proven trust that’s become my an­chor.

Want to know the secret to facing tomorrow’s troubles with your head held high? It’s simpler than you might think: Make the decision today – right now – to trust God’s promises. See, troubles shouldn’t catch us off guard. The Bible doesn’t sugar-coat it; it tells us straight up that we’ll face difficulties. But here’s the beautiful part: those same scriptures are packed with promises of God’s provision and deliverance that are rock solid.

Friend, the troubles we face aren’t just random bad luck or the world being difficult. Not at all. There’s an enemy and he has one agenda: total destruction. He hates you with a passion that’s incomprehensible, and his greatest joy is disrupting your peace and stealing your joy. But here’s the thing that makes me want to shout: you don’t have to play his game!

One of my favorite promises is in 1 John 5:4. It says that whatever is born of God overcomes the world. Do you realize what that means? That’s us! We’re the overcomers! When hardships come, when adversity strikes, and the enemy throws everything he’s got at us – we’re built to overcome through our faith.

I’m sharing this now because, honestly, we need this encouragement more than ever. Looking back at what Western North Carolina has endured – one of the most tumultuous years in memory – I’ve seen something remarkable. Yes, we faced an unprecedented storm, but we met it with unparalleled love and generosity. That’s who we are.

But I know we’re tired. I hear people saying things like, “If one more bad thing happens… that’ll be it for me. I won’t be able to handle it.” Friend, those words trouble my soul deeply. We can’t surrender like that. We cannot point to any circumstance and declare it bigger than God’s love and power in our lives!

We must decide – right now before the next storm hits – that we will stand. Not because we’re strong enough in our own strength, but because God has already declared us overcomers. We need to resolve that whatever pain or discomfort comes our way, we’re in it to win it.

Instead of saying, “One more thing and I’m done,” let’s declare, “Even if a thousand things come against me, I’m still standing because God made me to overcome!” Let’s stand and become dangerous to the enemy. Every time we choose faith over fear, we’re sending a clear message: we will not be defeated. As long as we have breath in our lungs, we’re a threat to the dark­ness. With the full armor of God described in Ephesians, we’re equipped for victory. And here’s the best part: victory isn’t just possible – it’s guaranteed.

So, here’s our challenge as we move forward into this new year: Together let’s decide – today – to stand firm, to fight the good fight, and to win. After all, if God is for us – and He is – who can possibly stand against us?

Remember: You’re not just surviving – you’re built to overcome. And that’s not just positive thinking; that’s God’s promise to you.