7.19.2014

Armor...

I'm sitting here for the first time in a long time, alone (well baby girl is napping and dog is snuggled up to me, but you know virtually alone) and it's magical. It's quiet and raining and I can feel God's presence wrapping me up, encouraging me and refreshing my soul. It's amazing how a little bit of stillness can do that. It can transform you. I've needed to be transformed this week. Its been an exhausting summer and I've had very little stillness, so Im relishing these moments and doing my favorite things, reading, writing and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee. 

I felt God speak so clearly to me this morning from Ephesians 6. I've felt bare and vulnerable to arrows in these last couple weeks. As if the arrows have been coming faster than I could hold up my shield and block them. This morning I had this mental picture of Ephesians 6. I pictured Shera with all her gear on, standing in strength and beauty. I had this image of her holding up her sword and shield dispelling every arrow thrown at her. It was a neat mental picture of something I loved as a kid, this picture of strength and beauty that we can have daily, no matter our feelings. 

I know I've talked about armor before and the importance of fighting spiritual battles, but there are times when God is trying to mold and shape us, to change us and allow us to move forward in growth and its in those times that the evil one delights in attacking us relentlessly. All of the fiery arrows that are thrown at us are different, some are arrows of never measuring up, fear, depression, anxiety, self image, not being known or appreciated, body issues, disappointments, hurt, shattered dreams, loneliness; the list could go on and on. We all have things the evil one loves to remind of us of and yes they are fiery, they are meant to hurt us, to derail us, to take our eyes off our strength and song, our healer, our redeemer, our savior. But we can be strength and beauty, we can hold up our shield and block the arrows that are thrown, He gives us that power. And I know this because He promises it in His word...

"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. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." 
Ephesians 6:10-17

So I'm suiting up and speaking truth, asking God what He's trying to change in me...because He's at work on my heart, always at work...


Let's get to it my Princesses of Power, kickin @*$ and blocking arrows!

-B

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