Living Like A Warrior
This Summer I found myself slowly going into an abyss of darkness. Old mindsets and thoughts kept creeping up in my mind and those fiery darts from my enemy seemed to be penetrating my heart in some deep ways.
I knew the enemy was fighting hard and I felt incredibly defeated.
I began a bible study on the armor of God.
I have spent many times praying about the armor and speaking those words found in Ephesians 6:10-18, but did I really understand what it meant to put on the armor of God?
I do not believe I did.
One thing I have realized about myself is there are many things I know about in the Word but I have not fully believed them. There are truths in scripture about who I am in Christ that I had not truly received as truth in my heart. I was believing the lies of the enemy instead.
We are in a battle.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:11-12
This battle is not against people, it is a battle against an enemy who hates us because we are sons and daughters of the living God through Jesus Christ.
I began to pray and ask God to show me my true heart condition. I knew things in my life were out of His will and I wanted every thought, every emotion, every attitude, every interaction with others, and every moment I let out a breath to be lived in alignment with Him.
I want to be like Jesus. This is my heart’s cry daily.
God is faithful. He answers our prayers. He answers our cries for help.
He began revealing my true heart condition to me. He has used my husband, my friends, my enemies, and circumstances in life to show these things to me.
I have had to prune and cut things and people out of my life. He has stretched me and asked me to do things way out of my comfort zone. I have had to repent and allow Him to break off pride in my life.
We have small groups at our church this Fall and we are studying the armor of God. He is continuing to teach me what it means to put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. He is teaching me what it means to shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace and to take up the shield of faith. He is showing me how to put on the helmet of salvation and how to use the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.
He is drawing me closer to Him and taking my hand into deeper places in prayer.
I am beginning to live like a warrior.
A warrior who knows how to use her armor.
A warrior who knows how to battle on her knees.
A warrior who knows the truth AND believes.
Those dark days were scary and depressing. They felt long and lonely. I am deeply grateful the Lord gave me those days. It caused me to seek Him and when we seek Him, we find Him.
I am living in more peace, joy, freedom, and victory than I have ever known. The battles still come but I know how to fight better. I am learning how to live like a warrior.
I pray that you will, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”, and live like a warrior.
