This past weekend I watched one of my favorite movies, Rocky IV. Actually, I love Rocky I, II, and III too. I mention this because in preparing to write this article, it dawned on me how some aspects of life parallel boxing. It appears the Apostle Paul thought so too.

The Amplified Version of 1 Corinthians 9:26 says, “I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.” He uses the boxing metaphor to describe how we fight life’s battles.

Yes, life has its battles, and they can be downright tough. In addition to the usual bouts with sickness, death of loved ones, broken relationships, financial struggles, unemployment, haters, depression, and other circumstances, there are those extraordinary, I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening occurrences that suddenly appear threatening to knock us out.

Throughout my life, I have had my share of these painful blows. Sometimes the force behind the punches knocked the wind out of me. Other times, I was pushed against the ropes. Some hits knocked me down, and I even came close to the full count while sprawled on the mat. But the Lord graced me to do a “Rocky Balboa.” I got back up.

Thinking about how Rocky’s much larger and built-Ford-tough opponent, Drago, pummeled him blow after blow brought to mind similar circumstances that tried to beat me down. Yet, just like Rocky, I emerged victoriously. Not easily, but victoriously. Bearing a few cuts and maybe a black eye, but victorious nonetheless. I don’t know how Rocky won, but without a doubt, I know the Lord Jesus graced me to be the victor.

I am not unique. We are all subject to life’s battles. I Peter 4:12 (NLT) admonishes, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”

Trials are going to come. But I Corinthians 15:57 (AMP) says, “But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.” With Jesus as our Lord, we are destined to win.

Do Not Stop Going to Church

In my 48 years of being saved, I have witnessed a tactic of the enemy to which many Christians succumb when fighting a battle—they stop going to church. I cannot stress this enough: when going through battles, even extraordinary ones, it is vital to keep going to church.

This assumes you attend a church where the Spirit of God moves and the truth of God’s Word is taught and preached. If you are not in a church like that, please find one.

I know church is becoming less popular in our culture. Many resist organized religion or anything resembling how previous generations worshipped. Nevertheless, the church is God’s heart. The church is not a building; it is a congregation of people. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, meaning “called-out assembly.”

It is through God’s church that we are nourished, nurtured, and sustained. Psalm 92:13 (KJV) says, “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

Deep roots in God’s house give you the strength to endure life’s storms. Like trees that withstand hurricane-force winds, deeply rooted believers do not blow away with every opposing wind.

In Jeremiah 3:15, the Lord promises pastors after His own heart who feed us knowledge and understanding. This feeding strengthens us, helps us understand who God is, who we are, and why we may be going through certain trials.

Worship helps us focus on God instead of our problems. When you stop attending, you cut yourself off from spiritual nourishment, corporate worship, and the power of the Spirit. You become weaker in the fight.

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

The five-fold ministry gifts are placed in the church to help believers overcome. Ephesians 4:12 tells us these gifts exist to perfect the saints and build up the body of Christ.

The gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians 12 also operate in the local church to encourage, strengthen, comfort, heal, and deliver. When you remove yourself from church, you remove yourself from these God-given tools.

Pressing Through the Battle

When Child Protective Services attempted to unjustly terminate my son’s and his wife’s parental rights to their children—my grandchildren—my family went through an intense battle. It was hard to even get out of bed, yet we pressed our way to church every Sunday, Wednesday, and special event.

Many times, all I could do was sit in the back and cry. But God met me there. Encouraging words, timely sermons, prayers, hugs, and financial blessings carried us through. God honored our pressing.

The devil seeks to isolate believers by pulling them away from the sheepfold. Don’t give in. Don’t starve yourself spiritually. Once the battle passes, you’ll realize you are stronger because you stayed planted.

When people say, “I feel like giving up,” giving up often means stopping prayer and church attendance. But how does that help? I would rather seek God and remain positioned for a miracle than sit at home with no hope of deliverance.

So keep pressing. Have the determination of Rocky Balboa. Say, “I may get hit hard and often, but I am not stepping out of this ring. Ultimately, through Christ, I win!”

Be planted in the house of God.