The phrase “God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers” is not found in the Bible. You can look through the entire Bible, but you will not find this phrase anywhere in the pages of the Word of God. The idea of God giving different “battles” to different believers is not biblical at all. Each person will have their own struggles, temptations, and difficulties in life, and it is not wise to compare our own hard times with others.
Do We Have to Go Through the Toughest Battles Alone?
All Christians will struggle with difficult times in their life. This is one of the many effects of the Fall of Man (Genesis 3:1-24). God never intended for believers to have difficulties in our lives; however, the Fall of Man caused all of that to change. Ever since the Fall, we have had struggles, temptations, and sin in the world or what this phrase would call “battles.”
Each person will have their own “battles” in life, but it is not biblical to compare the difficulty of our battles to someone else’s battles. Galatians 6:4-5 warns us of comparing ourselves to others, “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
No person is a “stronger soldier” if they have a “tougher battle.” Simply because someone’s struggle is not a struggle for you does not mean it is not a struggle for them. As believers, we have to treat others the same way we want to be treated.
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12).
Would you like someone to come up to you and tell you that your struggle is “not that bad” or tell you that the struggle they are going through is way harder than your own? Most people would not appreciate another Christian telling them that their struggle, difficulty, or temptation is “not a big deal.”
Each of us has our own temptations and downfalls. We must not neglect the truth that other people struggle with other sins and life circumstances that we ourselves may not struggle with or may never experience in our lives. As believers, we must validate all people’s “battles” as being equally as difficult as our own.
Do We Have to Be the Strongest Soldiers?
This phrase implies that the severity of the battle demonstrates the strength of the Christian. This could not be further from the truth. As already established, each believer has their own struggles and “battles” in their lives. The severity of the battle does not equate strength on the behalf of the individual.
In and of ourselves, we are nothing without Christ. We would not be able to get through difficult trials, struggles, or “battles” without God’s strength. God is the one who works through us, empowers us, and strengthens us to keep going through the trial.
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).
We cannot do anything in our strength as we are merely human. We are not divine, which means we are not self-sufficient. All people need God in their lives because without Him, we are nothing. In our own strength, we cannot get through difficult times.
If we take the attitude of “I can do it by myself without God,” then we are acting as mere fools. By relying on our own strength, we will become prideful and boastful. The Bible warns us of pride as Proverbs 11:2 declares, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
If we are humble and acknowledge our dependence on God, He will help us through our trials (1 Peter 5:6). God knows we are not strong enough on our own. This is why He wants us to come to Him and lean on Him.
No matter how big your battle is or how difficult it is, God is greater. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Nothing in our lives is bigger than our mighty God.
Is God in the Midst of Our Battles?
This phrase also implies the idea that God places us in a difficult situation and then leaves us. Again, this is another erroneous teaching in this phrase. God never leaves us. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
In Deuteronomy 31:8, the Bible tells us, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Just as God promised to be with the people in the past, He promises to still be with us today. There is not a moment, minute, or second that God is not with you. God is with you whether you are having a great day or if the day is full of gloom.
In our difficult seasons of life or “battles,” God is still standing right there beside us. We may not “feel” Him with us, but God is greater than our feelings. Even though we may not “feel” Him, we can know that He is always there with us. The Lord will stand beside you in any battle and give you strength (2 Timothy 4:17).
If you are going through a struggle, difficult, or a hard season in life, rest assured that you are not alone. The difficulty of your struggle is valid — no matter what other people have said. Your pain and tears do not go unnoticed by God. He sees you and is ready to give you hope, encouragement, and strength.
God does not leave us alone to go through the valleys in our lives, rather, He is right there beside you today. The only way to get through hard times in life is to rely on God and not ourselves.
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 (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God does not promise to take us out of hard times, but He does promise to be with us through the hard times. Take heart, God is always near. Thus, the phrase “God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldier” is completely unbiblical, erroneous, and false.
For further reading:
Will God Bring Me Through This Battle?
How to Fight and Win Spiritual Battles for Eternity
Spiritual Warfare Prayers: Protection in the Battle with Evil
What Did Jesus Mean That We Will Have Trouble in This World?
Is it True That if God Brings You to it, He Will Bring You Through It?
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