“When God’s Blessings and Battles Collide” - Finding God’s Peace in the Middle of Life’s Storms! By: Dr. Gladys Dark
I shared with my prayer group recently that sometimes in life you can experience “heaven on one side and hell breaking loose on the other” — both blessings and battles happening at the same time.
It can feel almost impossible to fully enjoy the good when the weight of chaos, drama, or trials are pressing in. But the Word of God shows us that this tension is not new; many of God’s people walked through seasons where triumph and testing coexisted.
1. The Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14):
Israel had just been delivered from slavery in Egypt — the greatest breakthrough they had ever known. Yet, immediately, they found themselves trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army. Deliverance and danger collided in the same moment. But God showed His power by parting the waters, reminding us that His presence is greater than the storm.
2. Nehemiah’s Builders (Nehemiah 4:17):
When Nehemiah led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall, the people worked with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. Progress and opposition were side by side. This shows us that sometimes our seasons of building and blessing are accompanied by warfare — but the presence of the battle doesn’t cancel the purpose of the blessing.
3. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7–10):
Paul experienced incredible visions and revelations from God, yet alongside this spiritual “heaven,” he endured a thorn in the flesh that brought him continual struggle. He admitted it was hard, but he learned to embrace God’s strength in weakness. His testimony was that the grace of God sustains us even when trouble remains close by.
4. Jesus at the Cross (Hebrews 12:2):
The ultimate example is Jesus. At the cross, unimaginable suffering and the greatest victory of redemption happened simultaneously. Scripture says,“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame”(Hebrews 12:2). Glory and agony were present together — but the eternal promise outweighed the temporary pain.
Personal Observations
I’ve noticed that whenever God begins opening doors of blessing in my life, the enemy seems to increase distraction, drama, or spiritual attacks.
Sometimes I have found myself celebrating victories with tears in my eyes because the battles did not pause for the blessings.
Like Paul with his thorn (2 Corinthians 12:7–10), I have learned that God’s strength is most evident when my weakness is most exposed.
Practical Applications
Shift Your Focus: Don’t let the chaos overshadow the blessing. Keep your eyes on what God is doing, not just on what the enemy is stirring. (Colossians 3:2)
Guard Your Peace and Embrace His Joy: Protect your heart with prayer and worship. Joy is your spiritual weapon — don’t surrender it to circumstances. (Nehemiah 8:10)
Embrace the Tension: Accept that blessings and battles can exist side by side. Let trials strengthen your faith instead of stealing your peace. (James 1:2–4)
Surround Yourself with Support: Just as Aaron and Hur lifted Moses’ hands (Exodus 17:12), allow trusted people to hold you up in prayer when the battle feels heavy.
Rest in God’s Promise: Remember that the battle is temporary, but God’s word is Eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17–18) Takeaway
When you feel like Heaven and hell are colliding in your life, remember:
Blessings doesn’t mean the absence of battles.
Chaos does not cancel out God’s promises.
Joy can still be found, not in circumstances, but in the steadfast Presence of God.
As James 1:2–4 reminds us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
God invites us to anchor ourselves in His joy even when the world around us is shaking. The blessing is real, the battle is real, but His Presence is greater than both.
✨ Closing Thought:
You may face storms and see chaos swirling, but blessings are still present. The reality of a battle doesn’t cancel the Presence of God. Choose to walk in joy and peace, even when blessings and battles collide.
Make it a great day!
