My dad once told me, “There’s no such thing as a 1944 Ford Truck.”

And it stuck with me.

If you’re a history buff, it might be clear why there’s no such thing, but though I have been described as many things history buff was never one of them so I asked him.

The answer: because Ford’s production was redirected to the war efforts.

And I found that profoundly comforting.

We often underestimate the spiritual warzone that we are in. Being the practical, 21st century Americans that we are, I don’t think it’s overstating it to claim that we’ve entirely forgotten that we are engaging in spiritual warfare every day. Whether you are fighting temptation or succumbing to it, casting out demons or inviting them in unawares, or weighed down by grief that is turning to despair, you are at war. And it’s no one-way fight. You’re up against the World (historically proven to be a formidable foe), the Devil (a roaming lion seeking to devour), and your own sinful Flesh (and after 25 years with that guy I can confirm, he’s a real loser).

Perhaps you’ve experienced crippling loss. As you were buried alive in grief and pain you may not have met your goals to travel or paint or contribute to your 401k.

Perhaps you’ve been lost in the throes of anger or a spiral of shame. All you have to show for it is self-isolation and a new (or old) addiction.

Perhaps you’ve prayed without ceasing and still saw no progress on your pain, your health, your dreams, or even your faith.

When you’re at war, you have to redirect your resources. And if that redirection just goes to survival, God is with you in that too. He knows better than anyone what kind of fight you’ve been fighting. You don’t have to prove anything to him.

If you look at your past and feel like a failure because you didn’t meet your goals or made your situation worse, you’re not giving credit to the fact that you had to repurpose your resources for war.

Maybe the war was on your faith, or your confidence or self esteem. Maybe the war was on your identity as an adopted child of God. Maybe the war was on your sexuality or your relationships with other people. Maybe the war was on your body or your mental health and well being. Maybe there was war on multiple fronts because by golly the devil is crafty and knows how to kick you when you’re down.

Your factory may not have made any trucks this year. But don’t underestimate the power of Christ in you and the protection of his angels. Just being alive today and surviving those trials is a feat of faith that brings all glory to God.

Don’t think you didn’t make it this far without the help of Jesus. He has good plans for you. He promised that much.

So if you’re in the fire, call it the year of the ’44 Ford. With the help of Christ, you’ll survive this war.