When You’re Tired of Fighting: Trust God to Fight For You

What if the thing keeping you from experiencing God’s power is your insistence on fighting the battle yourself?Episode SummaryHave you ever worked, planned, prepared, prayed, and done everything you thought you were supposed to do—only to find that life still didn't turn out the way you wanted? When the doors keep closing and the outcome feels like defeat, it's easy to wonder if God is really in control.In this conversation, Matt McCoy and Willow Weston unpack Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” Matt shares honestly about seasons when he relied on his own abilities, became disappointed with God when He didn't "perform" the way Matt expected, and eventually found himself in what he describes as a dark night of the soul.Together, they explore the tension between preparing faithfully and surrendering the outcome. Following God doesn't mean sitting back and letting life happen. We are called to work, plan, prepare, use our gifts, and take action. But we're also invited to walk with God, remain interruptible, and trust Him when the outcome isn't what we hoped for.If you're exhausted from trying to control your circumstances, disappointed by an unanswered prayer, or struggling to trust God after a season of loss, this conversation offers a different way forward. You don't have to stop preparing for the battle—you just don't have to fight it alone.Meet Matt McCoyMatt McCoy is a husband, dad, theologian, chaplain, and church planter who has spent his life exploring what it means to follow Jesus in the real world. His career has included ranching, construction, commercial real estate, land development, energy-sector work, college ministry, chaplaincy, and serving people experiencing homelessness.Matt holds a Master of Divinity and has spent more than two decades leading small groups. He and his wife, Denise, are passionate about cultivating uncommon friendship and common discipleship—creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can experience the Christian life together. In this conversation, Matt brings both theological depth and hard-earned personal wisdom to the question of what it looks like to trust God when life doesn't go according to plan.Key TakeawaysWhen you're tempted to control everything: Ask what you're relying on to "win" in life—and whether you've left room for God to lead.When your prayers aren't answered the way you hoped: Learn how to remain connected to God instead of shutting down or walking away.When you're disappointed with God's plan: Discover the difference between following Jesus and asking Jesus to simply bless your plans.When you're facing a closed door: Consider that some of the defeats you experience may eventually become part of a story you couldn't see at the time.When you're exhausted from fighting: Learn how spiritual practices like prayer, Scripture, friendship, and community can help you keep walking with God.How This Episode Will Encourage YouYou don't have to understand what God is doing to trust that He is with you. Prepare, work, pray, and take the next step—but leave room for God to write a story bigger than the one you were trying to control.Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook💑Check out Collide’s website for info on upcoming conferences, events, and resources.📲Follow Collide on Facebook and Instagram for encouragement, inspo and a fun peek into our ministry.📰Plus, subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things Collide!