The Battle: A Reflection on Inner Warfare and Healing
“For every provocation against God’s cause, there is a provision for victory.” — R. Arthur Matthews
Fighting Battles No One Sees
In the chapter titled "The Battle" from Just Before Dawn, we encounter the invisible war so many survivors fight every day—a war of the mind, the heart, and the spirit. It is not the kind of battle you can see with your eyes. It's a struggle waged behind a smile, beneath the surface of a busy life. Many walk through their days hiding under a polished facade while feeling as if they are crumbling inside. This chapter gives voice to that quiet, exhausting conflict.
The author vulnerably describes the toll of wearing an "Okay Face," the sheer effort it takes just to survive another day, and the loneliness of carrying a burden few people can see. It is a powerful reminder that behind the smiles of many around us may be deep, ongoing spiritual and emotional warfare.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:18
The Oldest Battle
The chapter draws a line back to the garden of Eden, reminding us that the real battle began long ago when Satan aimed to separate us from God. Like Job, we often find ourselves confused and hurting, tempted to believe God is to blame for our suffering. Yet Scripture tells us otherwise.
God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), cannot be unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13), and cannot cease to be who He is: good, just, and pure. This truth is critical in healing. The chapter calls us to redirect our blame and frustration from God to the real enemy: Satan, the accuser, deceiver, and destroyer.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
— John 10:10
The Battle for the Mind
One of the most profound themes of this chapter is the battle for the mind. Our thoughts shape our beliefs, and our beliefs shape how we live. For abuse survivors, the damage done often goes beyond the body—it affects core beliefs about identity, safety, and choice. The message that "you have no choice" is one that many survivors internalized early, and it can linger for decades.
This chapter gently but firmly calls out that lie. As adults, survivors are no longer powerless. They can choose. They can heal. They can say no. They can build a new script—one rooted not in fear, but in freedom.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” — Romans 12:2
Knowing the Real Enemy
The author takes time to walk readers through a sobering reality: we have a spiritual enemy who actively works to keep us defeated. Scripture gives him many names: deceiver, liar, destroyer, accuser. He uses these tactics to distort our view of God, of ourselves, and of truth.
Understanding the enemy’s nature is not to instill fear but to give clarity and courage. We cannot fight a war we don’t realize we’re in. But God does not leave us defenseless. Through His Word, His Spirit, and His people, we are equipped to resist.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers... against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 6:12
Equipped for the Battle
The chapter encourages us to take up our spiritual armor, found in Ephesians 6. It reminds us that we are soldiers in a very real war, and that God has not only trained us but fights for us. We are not victims wandering helplessly through life; we are warriors with divine backing.
Prayer, Scripture, truth, faith—these are not vague spiritual concepts, but weapons. And they are most powerful when we are weak. It is in our dependency on God that we find real strength.
“The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom.” — 2 Timothy 4:18
Manifold Trials and the Unchanging God
The trials survivors face are intense, painful, and persistent. Flashbacks, fear, anxiety, depression, triggers—they wear a soul thin. Yet even in the fire, God remains. The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego reminds us that it is often in the furnace where God's presence is most deeply felt.
Faith is not the absence of pain. It is choosing to trust God in the midst of it, declaring that He is still good, even when our circumstances scream otherwise. That is the kind of faith this chapter urges us to cultivate.
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us... But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods...”
— Daniel 3:17-18
Our Choice in the Midst of the War
Every day, we are given a choice. What will we believe about God? About ourselves? About our worth? The enemy whispers lies to keep us in bondage, but God's truth offers freedom. We get to choose which voice we listen to.
Even when we feel stuck or afraid, we are not without help. God does not force us, but He does wait. His love is patient. His character is unchanging. And His grace is sufficient.
“The Lord waits to be gracious to you; and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you.”
— Isaiah 30:18
Final Thoughts
This chapter isn’t just a reflection on pain. It’s a call to spiritual strength, to clarity, and to truth. It exposes the schemes of the enemy and lifts our eyes to the One who fights for us. It reminds us that even when we feel weak, we are not alone. And though the battle is fierce, victory is certain through Christ.
If you are in the midst of your own battle today, may you be encouraged to press on. The Lord is with you. The lies of the enemy do not define you. And healing is not only possible—it is promised.
“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4
