This is an experience I don’t want to ever repeat again. Once is more than enough.
I can’t believe I didn’t realize my mistake. I can’t believe I walked out of the hostel without it. Actually I can’t believe all the stuff I did without it…I got coffee. I went to ministry. I ate lunch. Basically I went around doing things I normally do everyday. Feelings of shame, doubt, insecurities flood my mind. Defeat overwhelmed me. Loneliness latched on. Lies began to consume me.
Yet thankfully, I met a man, well more than a man. A savior really. He told me I was valuable. He told me I was worthwhile. He told me I was His and He would choose me a million times over. But He didn’t just leave me with these sweet words. Many men are crafty with sweet words and they can roll off their tongues without any action. And He is not like any other man I have met. He gave me so much more. He met me where I was. Defeated. Ashamed. Naked. And He gave me His victory. Freedom. Armor. He freely gave me everything so that I could rise-up and live a full victorious life. His name is Jesus.
So hopefully you have figured out I’m not talking about physical clothes, like a t-shirt or pants but rather spiritual clothes. It is written:
“Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11
While I knew this scripture, the importance and value it holds did not penetrate my heart until recently. What stood out to me the most was God calling us to action. He gives us all the tools to live victoriously but He gives us a choice.
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16.
God promises us victory. He promises us to overcome anything that comes our way. But we have to put on and choose to wear the armor. We have to take up the shield of faith, which requires constant action on our part. On the outside things seem to be going great for me. I have an amazing team that loves Jesus. I am blessed to be able to love on precious little ones. I am traveling the world and learning so much. Yet lately on the inside I was getting bogged down by my insecurities, questions of is there purpose and value to what I am doing, and just feelings of being isolated and not really connecting with anyone. Thankfully God provided a way out of this dark spiral. We had a leadership development conference and my lovely squadmate Mallory talked about praying the word of God.
“Prayer is where we get spiritually dressed for the day.”
The importance of that statement rests in the truth that God has never been defeated in battle and He is offering us His armor so that we can share in His victory. God has promised us victory over any scheme. So this brings me back to the shield of faith. Faith is the only condition in which God’s power flows into and works through me. When I choose to take up faith the true victor of every battle is at work because greater is He that is with us than anything against us. Taking up the shield of faith that God lovingly gives me allows me to change my mindset from fighting for victory to fighting from victory. Because praise Jesus that the battle is already won!
So knowing that the enemy is going to attack. Knowing that God gives me every tool to win. Knowing that it is my choice to fight and share in the victory or be passive. Requires me to have a battle plan.
Battle Plan:
-Replace lies with the TRUTH, spend time in God’s word daily
- “You give me your shield of victory and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.” Psalm 18:35
- “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalm 34:4-5
- “but I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5-6
- “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
-fight my battles in prayer. put on the armor of God daily.
-enemy comes to divide and destroy but God says we are stronger united and He can do mighty things through us, so I must pursue community, continue to be vulnerable and invite them to hold me accountable
I want to encourage you all that in the areas of your greatest battles, God has your greatest victory. So keep getting dressed! Put on your armor. Keep taking up your shield of faith. Keep rejoicing for the victory is yours!
*Also a cool app to check out is called Shut Up devil app*
