Fighting Talk

Politicians of all shades love to sound big & tough, giving the impression that they can fix whatever the problem happens to be. Fighting talk is the name of the game. But as we all know, words are cheap & easy, while action is much more costly and difficult.
All of us face troubles and challenges, and during Lent the focus for many is on exactly these struggles. Just as Jesus went into the wilderness to face his demons, so all of us have real and significant battles to fight.
We can talk about giving up chocolate, or cutting down on our alcohol intake, or fasting from watching too much television, but where the action is needed is on the struggle against temptation and sin.
The writer to the Hebrews has much to encourage us with.
'Since Jesus himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.' (Hebrews 2.18)
Jesus' identification and shared experience with human beings like us gives him the qualifications to draw alongside us in our struggles - whatever they are.
Having then described Jesus as our High Priest, who makes it possible for us to draw close to God who is holy and perfect, the writer reminds us of Jesus' sympathy. 'This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.' (Hebrews 4.15-16)
I am therefore reminded that whenever and however I face temptations and challenges today, I don't need fighting talk about my own determination to 'be strong' or 'sort it out', but I need to trust Jesus to make a difference. Crossing fingers won't help either, but trusting Jesus will.
Best wishes,
Richard