Put on the Armor?
Our church in Nebraska urged, “Daily put on the whole armor of God.”
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12 NKJV).
These verses made sense to me. I had been a casualty in this spiritual warfare. Desiring to become a mighty warrior, as I rose each morning, I faithfully went through the list in Ephesians 6 and put on my armor.
There was one problem. As I religiously put on the armor, I slipped back into performance mode. The harder I worked to become a victorious Christian, the weaker I grew until I struggled to put one foot in front of another.
On top of that, I was losing the battle for my mind. Trapped in a brain fog that steadily grew worse, eventually, I couldn’t even remember I needed armor. By that time, I was living in Florida, barely functional after being caregiver to both my parents – Dad was in a wheelchair from a stroke and Mom suffered from Alzheimer’s & cancer.
The Lord is Gentle
For decades I lived by sheer willpower. When my tank was empty, I was forced to rest, but the moment it began to refill, I took up the heavy burden in my determination to appease God and somehow earn His smile of favor.
Have you ever been in that place? Exhausted. In pain. Trapped in a fog of confusion. Hurting so much that dying feels preferable to facing the hopelessness of another day. Well-meaning Christians and some not-so-well-meaning would say, “Snap out of it.” Or, “Just have faith!” Or, “As a Christian, there is no excuse for you to be in this condition! There must be unconfessed sin in your life.”
Ouch! Feeling judged hurts.
I used to think, “You don’t have a clue. Walk a mile in my shoes, then come tell me what I’m doing wrong!”
Friends, the good news is the Lord is so very gentle. He understands, and He cares.
This is really important.
God is NEVER harsh or judgmental. You see, Jesus came and walked through life in my shoes. He walked in your shoes. He knows how you feel when you can barely get out of bed in the morning. He isn’t upset with you when you forget important things – like the need for spiritual armor.
How Do You Slow Down and Rest?
Whatever your situation, I have exciting news for you today. Amid the chaos of this life – know what you are experiencing is a trauma response.
Your body is trying to tell you to slow down and rest. Jesus bids you come and sit under the shadow of the Almighty; let Him fight your battles for you.
Do you remember why Jonah got angry with God?
“O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster” (Jonah 4:2 ESV).
Jonah wanted God to blast Nineveh off the face of the earth. Instead, God was slow to anger and delighted in showing His unfailing love.
So take courage. Our Lord is “a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15).
As for putting on the armor of God to be safe from danger? David learned a lesson you and I need to experience in the depths of our being. “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence” (2 Samuel 22:3).
Do you feel exhausted? Take courage. Call on Jesus. His name is above all names, a strong tower to run and hide from the raging storm. Don’t worry about getting all the pieces of armor on – put on Christ! He is enough.
- He is the Truth. Let truth encompass your vital parts.
- The Father covers you with the Righteousness of Christ.
- Jesus is Peace. He wants to place shoes of peace on your feet.
- The Lord is a shield about you.
- Let the Living Word dwell in you, so the sword of the Spirit is always in your hands.
- Put on Jesus, who will be your safe place.
May Jesus speak peace to your wounded heart and quiet you with His love. As you take time to rest, check out my video on how to transform your heart into Christ’s home. He is always near to you, are you ready to draw near to Him?
