The Christian life is not a playground—it’s a battleground. In this soul-stirring devotional, Andrea Poyotte declares war on everything holding her back. It’s time to confront the struggle within and rise in God’s strength.
I / De / Clare / War
Good Morning and Happy Sabbath.
I can never begin my day without a devotional—it is the armor I need before my feet even touch the floor.
And today, I’m declaring war.
The Christian Life: Not a Playground, But a Battleground
In the words of Warren Wiersbe:
“The Christian life is not a playground; it is a battleground, and we must be on our guard at all times.”
Whether we like it or not, we are in a war—
A war between the spirit and the flesh.
And you can’t win a battle you refuse to admit you’re in.
Paul Felt It Too
“For I know that good itself does not dwell in me… I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out… For what I do is not the good I want to do… but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
— Romans 7:18–19 (NIV)
Sound familiar?
Paul’s words are the original tongue-tied confessional.
But they’re also our reality:
We are masters of getting in our own way.
Yes, the devil is busy.
Yes, the world has distractions.
But sometimes, the biggest enemy is the inner me.
What’s Holding You Back?
Here’s a question that might sting a bit:
What are the three things holding you back from growing in God?
And no, don’t sugarcoat the list.
Pretending doesn’t lead to progress.
- Maybe it’s your negative self-talk.
- Maybe it’s your short temper.
- Maybe it’s the way you turn to food, social media, or Netflix to numb your pain.
- Maybe it’s procrastination.
- Maybe it’s the lies you still believe about your worth.
Everyone has a vice.
The issue isn’t that we struggle—
The issue is when we deny the struggle and refuse to bring it to God.
Victory Requires Vulnerability
No one truly desires to stay stuck.
But we often shy away from the work it takes to break free.
Why?
Because healing costs honesty.
Growth takes grit.
Victory demands vulnerability.
But here’s the truth:
Jesus offers more than distractions—He offers deliverance.
Today, I Declare War
Yes, I / De / Clare / War.
War on:
- My darkness
- My doubt
- My self-sabotage
- My complacency
- The version of me that wants to stay stuck
No more quiet surrender.
No more going softly into the night.
Today, I rise to fight.
Questions for Your Own War Room:
- What are the three things holding me back spiritually, emotionally, or mentally?
- Who can I share this with—someone who loves me and loves Jesus—to help keep me accountable?
- What distractions am I using to cope that God is calling me to release?
Reflection Prompt: What’s Holding You Back?
Ask yourself honestly, without filters:
What Are Three Things Holding Me Back?
- __________ – What is the thought, habit, or fear that keeps showing up when you try to grow spiritually or emotionally?
- __________ – What have you convinced yourself “isn’t that bad” but keeps pulling you away from peace or purpose?
- __________ – What do you keep avoiding, burying, or numbing instead of facing and surrendering to God?
(Don’t sanitize this list—get real. This is where war begins.)
🤝 Who Can I Tell?
Now, take it a step deeper:
- Who in your life loves you enough to hold you accountable—but also loves Jesus enough to point you to grace, not guilt?
- Who will pray with you and not just “check on” you?
- Who reminds you of who you are when your own voice forgets?
Write their name(s) down.
Call or text them today.
Say:
“I’m declaring war on a few things in my life. Can I share them with you and ask you to pray with me?”
Final Word
There is freedom in this declaration.
This is your moment.
This is your wake-up call.
This is your line in the sand.
Say it with me:
I / De / Clare / War. 💥
Phoenix: Live Love Laugh 
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