Several weeks ago, I stumbled onto a contemporary Christian song titled, "Surrounded (Fight My Battles)". I know now that it was written by Elyssa Smith of Upperhouse and has been recorded by a few different artists over the past couple years, but the version I heard this day was by Michael W. Smith. The song was on in the background of whatever I was doing, so I was only absentmindedly listening, but I found myself in one of those situations where I couldn't get the chorus out of my head for the rest of the day.
Later that night, I searched for the song online, found it, listened again, and quickly realized why I was still singing it. There are literally only two phrases in the entire song, and they are sung over and over again for nearly five minutes. No wonder I couldn't get it out of my head! The two phrases are:
It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by you.
This is how I fight my battles.
During this time, it may feel like we're
surrounded ...
surrounded by uncertainty, surrounded by infection, surrounded by fear, surrounded by guilt, surrounded by unrest, surrounded by debt, surrounded by inequality, surrounded by doubt. This song was a bold reminder for me that while it may feel like we're surrounded by the load we and others are carrying -- the "battles" -- God is big enough to surround us AND our heavy load.
Dear God:
When we feel surrounded by the difficulties of this Earthly life, help us remember that we are also surrounded by you and that your arms are big enough to embrace us, and our joys, and our messes. Amen.
Deanna Heise
