What is victory for you?

It seems that I'm having more conversations these days with Christ followers who seem to be down or frustrated or overwhelmed or depressed. Maybe it is the economy. Maybe it is their personal situation. Maybe it is the hectic pace of their lives or the tattered nature of their relationships or the fragile state of their health. Whatever the cause..it seems like it happens more frequently.

Just a few minutes ago, a news report I was reading led me to this verse in 2 Corinthians:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ... (v. 14)

For the first time, I think I understand the imagery there. The military man, triumphant in battle and fresh from the victory, marching proudly through the streets. His leader (Christ) leads him in this parade. He has battered, bruised, tired and dirty...souvenirs of the battle. But he is triumphant. It had me pondering two questions: what does victory look like for a believer and why do we have such a hard time seeing the victories that Christ gives us? I believe most of us have a kind of warped sense of overcoming. Because of that, we fail to celebrate what Christ is doing in us and through us. We are so busy looking at the trials of life (yes, even Christians have these) and the scars that come with the battles, we take our eyes off of the victory that is guaranteed for those who are in Christ.

Don't let the enemy sidetrack you from your own personal celebrations of what God is doing in your life. It may not come with a different job, a different spouse, a larger paycheck or an easier road, but God guarantees that He is working in your life for one purpose--to bring Him glory by transforming you into the image of Christ. Celebrate those victories and know that no scar goes unnoticed...nor does it come without its rewards. No plan of God's can be thwarted.