Today, we will be discussing the importance of stopping our fights with God. We have all experienced times when we have questioned God's plan or tried to fight against His will. However, it is important for us to recognize that God's ways are higher than our ways and that ultimately, His plan is for our good.

Let us begin with a funny story to lighten the mood. Once, there was a man who was driving and came across a sign that said, "Stop, and let God drive." The man continued to drive and got into a car accident. When he asked God why He didn't intervene, God replied, "I put up a sign for you to stop and let me drive, but you chose to ignore it."

Let us turn to the Bible to see what it says about fighting with God. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we read, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This means that we must trust in God's plan and submit to His will, even if it doesn't make sense to us.

Let us look at some examples from the Bible where people chose to fight against God's will and the consequences that followed.

First, we have the story of Jonah. God called him to preach to the people of Nineveh, but Jonah chose to flee instead. He was then swallowed by a fish and spent three days in its belly before finally submitting to God's will.

Next, we have the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. They constantly complained and grumbled against God's plan, even though He was leading them to the promised land. As a result, they spent forty years wandering in the wilderness.

Another example is the story of Saul. God called him to be the first king of Israel, but he became disobedient and chose to follow his own desires instead of God's plan. As a result, he lost his kingship and his life.

In each of these stories, we see people who chose to fight against God's will and the consequences that followed. Let us now look at some applicable verses that can guide us in stopping our fights with God:

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." When we trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it, He will work everything out for our good.

Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." God's ways are higher than ours, and we must trust in His wisdom and plan.

Proverbs 16:9 - "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." We can make plans, but ultimately, it is God who establishes our steps.

James 4:7-8 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." When we submit to God's will, we are resisting the devil and drawing near to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we give our worries and concerns to God and trust in His plan, we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Let us now look at the story of Job in the Bible. Job was a righteous man who suffered greatly, but he never stopped trusting in God's plan. In Job 1:21, he says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job did not understand why he was suffering, but he chose to trust in God's plan and praised Him even in the midst of his trials.

We can learn from Job's example and trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it. We may face trials and hardships in life, but we can choose to praise God and trust that He is working all things for our good.

Let us also look at the example of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus knew that He was about to face the cross, but He chose to submit to God's will and trust in His plan.

In conclusion, it is important for us to stop fighting with God and trust in His plan. We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but we can trust that God is working all things for our good. We can submit to His will, even when it is hard, and trust in His wisdom and guidance. Let us remember the examples of Jonah, the Israelites, Saul, Job, and Jesus, and choose to trust in God's plan for our lives.

As we close, I want to invite anyone who has been fighting with God to come forward and surrender their will to Him. Let us pray together.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today acknowledging that we have been fighting with your will. We ask for your forgiveness and guidance as we choose to submit to your plan for our lives. Help us to trust in your wisdom and guidance, even when it is hard. We thank you for your love and grace, and we ask that you would fill us with your peace and joy. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May God bless you and keep you as you choose to trust in His plan and submit to His will. Remember, when we stop fighting with God, we can experience the peace and joy that comes from trusting in His plan. Let us go forth boldly and confidently in Christ. Amen