Spiritual Battles

That seems to be going on strong in the body of Christ right now. I know it has been for us. We've been hit financially, mechanically (my car alarm goes off for no reason at all, the door ajar button stays on when all doors are shut tightly), disobedience in our children, and a few other things.

And of course when I'm in the middle of my junk, crisis I have friends call on me for prayer for their marriages (inparticular 2) I deal with them the best I can but the truth is there is no mercy in my speech. Usually it's because it's the same issue that keeps on keeping on with out any kind of change on their part. Not sure if there was any encouragement in anything I said to either. One of my dear sandpaper friends was told by yours truly,"It's time to put your big girl panties on and stop whining." Yeah, not so nice. I would love to explain why I said that and maybe get some sympathy or an "atta girl" from you all but the truth is, it may not have been the right time to say it nor may my motives have been pure in saying it. Don't get me wrong, I really do love these two women. God teaches me a lot through them, like patience, endurance, and how to run a really loooooong race. I don't like to run.

I couldn't seem to get out of this funk and was giving the enemy oh so much more credit than he deserved. Especially, since I, Me, the blond girl sitting here typing out these words, gave the territory over to him. Freely, no charge, no fight. I just said,"Hi, come on in and wreck havoc everywhere you can." Dumb move. It wasn't until Saturday, when my sweetie love of a man came home from a men's breakfast (he loves these things) at our church and he was sharing what the speaker shared about his life. All I remember (not b/c I wasn't listening b/c I was), is K looking at me and asking,"Do you trust me?" I think I jumped back a little. If not, my spirit definetly did. It wasn't him who was looking at me asking that question.

It was HIM, you know the one, Jesus!! asking me, "Do you trust Me?"

The answer at the time was,"NO. Look what you are allowing to happen to us. We are headed for financial ruin (a bit dramatic but that's what it felt like at the time.) Look at the stuff going on around us. And on top of that, you have asked me to lay down my dream - which I thought was YOUR dream and wait."

Again as my dh was talking, he spoke the words again,"Do. You. Trust. Me?"

This time the words that came out of the depths of my soul were,"Yes, LORD, I trust You. I trust You with all that I am, all that I have, all that will be."

My perspective changed almost instantly. My defeatest attitude was gone. The promises made by the One who created me filled my head, heart, soul and spirit. Joy was resounding. Love was abounding. Repentance came to overflowing. Prayers went up all day asking the LORD to take back the ground that I so freely gave to the enemy and had no right to do so. Almost immediately, things started to change.

What was the difference? Why had these spiritual battles ensued? Because I hadn't put on the armor. The full armor of God. Isn't that what Paul tells us to do in Ephesians 6:10-17? 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And change they continue to do. What an amazing God I serve. One who adores me for me, loves me despite myself, never leaves me to my own devices and brings new joys each and every morning.

Have a blessed and glorious day.

Seeing the World through His eyes,
Laurie