You know you're doing something right when everything decides to go wrong. At least that tends to be my experience when I don't arm myself well. There is a reason 'The Armor of God' is in the Bible, you know. Ephesians 6:10-18 explains what this is and it's importance.
Verse 13 in the Message version says: Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.
That's the goal here. To remain standing. To not be knocked down and left beaten and defeated. The closer you grow to God and the more you obey Him, the more the enemy wants to get you. The enemy absolutely hates it when we follow Christ and are obedient to His will. The more you do for God, the bigger the target is on your back. That is why it is so crucial to arm ourselves. You wouldn't step foot onto a battlefield without a weapon and armor, so why would you face the enemy of your soul empty-handed and naked?!
I recently was helping a friend through a struggle of hers. I was using my own life as an example, because we have similar situations. We are both at a crossroads as to whether we stay in the Army or get out. I explained all the reasons why my husband and I do not think getting out of the Army would be a good idea for our family. I told her how financially, it would be a struggle. Mike would have to get an exceptional job to make up for the money we are bringing in now. Not to mention medical insurance and other benefits.
I also mentioned our spiritual wellbeing. Let's be real honest here... Mike and I have never been closer to God than we are now. We had to leave the comforts of the life we grew up in and step out on our own. That is how we found Him. Back home our families are wonderful. They are kind, loving, and always welcoming to us. It is very comfortable there. Dangerously comfortable. Because unfortunately, God isn't very high on the priority list. Our lives are focused and centered on God, but when we go home, we find our comfort in our families and the lives we left behind- not in God. While we say we are strong and steady in our faith, somehow, every time we go home to visit we begin to think of God less and less. Before we know it, we realize we haven't been to church in weeks, haven't touched our Bibles or even taken time to get alone and worship and talk to God. It's as if He doesn't exist.
I explained these things to my friend one morning last week. By that evening I wanted to move back home. Badly. It was like a wet blanket had been thrown over me and was dragging me down. I felt heavy. My shoulders, my mind, and my heart. I was so saddened and lonesome and ready to pack up and move back. I allowed the enemy to plant a seed in me. I watered it and watered it and allowed it to grow for days. I was desperately trying to convince my husband of all the reasons we needed to move home. I even said to him a few times that I know this is lie. I know all the reasons we shouldn't, yet it felt so very real. I really yearned to go back home. I was convincing myself that all the reasons I had previously explained to my friend were easy fixes. And I came up with solutions for each and every one of them.
Yesterday in church, our pastor taught a message that was for me. Specifically. The scripture that was read was for me. God even decided to speak to me personally through the mouth of one of the dearest friends I have ever had. She walked up to me and told me the truth to everything I had been doubting. She gave me the answers to every specific question I had been wrestling with. It was like the clouds parted and sun shined through, pointing directly at me. The wet blanket was pulled off my shoulders and I could breathe. Well, I began to sob so although I could breathe, it was snorty and pitiful sounding.
I was helping. I was sharing. I was being obedient to God. But I was doing it foolishly because I wasn't armed. I had missed church due to sickness the week before and I hadn't made it up. By make it up, I mean I hadn't gotten into worship or the word for a few days. I hadn't gotten quiet with the Father and spent time re-filling my soul. Because of this, my faith was weakened, my peace was diminishing, and I was an easy target. It all comes down to armor. We MUST arm ourselves if we hope to survive this war. The good news is, that it is easy to get back on track. While I may have gotten knocked down, it wasn't for long. And my wise and sturdy husband wouldn't allow my doubts and fears to make any decisions for our family.
I made one of the biggest mistakes last week. In my pain, fear, and frustration, I told my wonderful husband that this was all his fault. I told him he wasn't a good spiritual leader for me and he wasn't a good priest for our home. No, he hadn't prayed with me. No, he hadn't taken me aside and read the word with me. But he felt the quiet nudge from God to keep his mouth shut. He hadn't entertained my theories or ideas. He wouldn't argue with me or agree with me. He knew to just keep quiet and wait for God to take care of everything. And that's exactly what He did.
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