I grew up knowing only one story about my grandfather’s service in the military. He was a mechanic on a ship stationed at Pearl Harbor and arrived there just days after the attacks on Dec. 7. He never talked about it even when we asked him questions. He simply said, “so many died.”

When I was in college, my brother and sister-in-law both served in the army as combat medics. It was a common occurrence to talk to my brother while he served in Iraq with the sounds of war echoing in the background.

War is not a new invention. The Bible has many stories of God’s people fighting battles. But one does not need to fight in a physical war to experience the God who defends. God defends the warriors and also the weak.

Each of us is fighting something. Some of us are fighting for our health. Others may be fighting emotional and spiritual battles. Or maybe you are fighting to perserve a friendship or another relationship.

There are so many reasons we may be in conflict and often it can feel like we are alone when doing it. But we are never truly alone. God is always by your side and he is fighting with and for you. Sometimes God throws a protective shield around you and at other times he will fight the battle through you. Regardless of the method, God is fighting for you because “when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalms 34:17)

Today is Veterans Day, a day to remember those who have fought the physical battles. Those who serve in the military sacrifice so much to defend our country’s freedoms, and today we honor all those who made the choice to serve. It is no small service, and we honor and respect their time and commitment to willingly fight the physical battle.

Regardless of the battle you are fighting, take comfort this week in knowing that God is by your side for he is the God who defends.

“You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.” – Deuteronomy 3:22

Written by Aimee Freston, associate director of digital communications for Buckner Communications, as part of a special Faith Focus series focusing on who God is and what he does for his people.