At the same time, God allowed some trying situations that challenged me to decide whether I would obey Him and whether I would cooperate with His dismantling of much of my identity. As old triggers resurfaced and emotions surged, I was very tempted to fall back into the relative safety of my sin patterns of anger and pride. The spiritual battle that Paul talks about in this chapter has felt all too real to me over the past two weeks.
This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 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. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. (6:13-17)My usual default in hard situations is to strategize or to go on the offensive, rather than to stop and pray to God for His wisdom. But gratefully, in this particular season, God has me in His Word every day, and lately I've been using my prayer journal more than I have in years.
These essential weapons of spiritual warfare saved me in the heat of battle. In the middle of the temptations, God gave me the grace to retreat and to listen to Him. I am very thankful for these small victories that help me see that God's Spirit is at work.
While I haven't enjoyed this valley that I'm in, I am amazed by all that God is doing in me and for me in the midst of the pruning and the pain.
"And finally, expect opposition. My enemy will stand against you at every turn. You are no match for him. But My Spirit is in you. My enemy is no match for Him." 66 LL
3 comments:
Fascinating and beautiful that the Holy Spirit prompted Paul to write about a life of love (ch. 5) and then about the weapons God has issued us(ch. 6) and sandwiched in between are the relationships - the very places He calls us to love and defend!
i just went to "like" this but remembered this isn't facebook ;)
but i like this blog because i'm too experiencing little victories here in the midst of life with Christ. became through Christ we are conquerors and even though we fall short so much, i know He is at work in us to make us more like Him. celebrating His grace in our lives, thanks for sharing this encouraging way how God's Word is changing you, one little victory at a time as you depend and rely on Him in prayer too. <3
i'm just such a rollercoaster in terms of being in so many different seasons of emotions all the time but i think that i'm slowly by God's grace just learning over and over again the importance of choosing joy and not being discouraged and sitting in it or sad or hurt and choosing to come alive in Jesus, His love, His Word and just delight in walking with Him and the hope I get to look forward to. It's refreshing to keep my eyes on Him despite the brokenness in me and around me.
Enemy, we are conquerors through Jesus Christ and you are no match for Him! Protect me, Jesus. Protect us in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
and i love the idea of "expecting opposition" its so true. we need to be ready for battle. but so often i forget and lose so easily.
Lord, prepare us to stand firm in You. And be changed by You and Your power.
Post a Comment