Dragons without, Dragons within

Years ago I wrote my son a bedtime story called, "Soren the Bold." It was simple and short with just enough adventure and excitement to hold his interest. And there was a dragon! Soren the Bold is in the Wild Wood looking for the home of the badger when he decides to explore a cave. There's some smoke coming from the cave, which he thinks is someone's campfire, but it turns out to be a dragon. Just when he's about to be afraid, he remembers who he is. He holds up his shield and raises his sword and announces, "My name is Soren Kirk, Son of Matt Neal, of the Lundquist clan. My ancestors were the mighty Vikings, who rowed themselves to battle and were victorious. And I will conquer you!"

Just a child's fantasy, a fairy tale, but wait! We all occasionally get lost in the Wild Wood and venture into a dark cave where we encounter a dragon. Just what is it that allows us to come out alive, without being burnt to a crisp by his flaming breath?

Now before you go thinking how clever I was for putting this strong statement of personal identity in the mouth of my young hero, let me confess who I stole this from. Tolkein fans may have already recognized the parallels with "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, of the Dunedain!" And I'm pretty sure from reading Kings & Chronicles that he borrowed it from someone else. But the point is the same: Knowing where you come from and who you are gives you the confidence to face dragons!

What are the dragons in my life?

There are two types:

External Challenges

• Financial issues

• Pressure to perform at school or work

• Resolving conflicts in relationships

Internal Struggles

• Doubts about our abilities

• Confusion about what we're trying to accomplish

• Fear of Failure

In my attempts to be a good Father, I offered my son a description of who he is. In the story his declaration is a reminder of his true identity, allowing him to go straight at the dragon with his sword. What I failed to mention was that in real life, it was Soren himself who added to the declaration. After reciting what he had learned about his family and his tribe, it was he who thought to tell that dragon "And I will conquer you!"

Our Good Father has told us who we are in him. But we must learn and recite His Words to remind ourselves of their significance.

• We are sons and daughters of God when we believe & receive (John 1:12)

• We are not condemned (Romans 8:1)

• He is for us and NOT against us (Romans 8:31)

• We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)

• We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3)

• We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:21)

• We are assured of victory (2 Corinthians 2:14)

I would challenge you to personalize these declarations and pray them over your life every day. Slaying the internal dragons of fear and self-doubt will equip you to face down external dragons that challenge you today and every day!