Weapons of War

Fear and Discouragement: Courtesy Google Images

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

~ Ephesians 6:12 ESV ~

As children of God, I believe we know in the depths of our souls that our security is found in Him. But as we continue to navigate life as finite beings, I think we forget (I know I do) that the struggles we face, the tragedies we endure, or the setbacks we fight to overcome are part of a much larger-scale battle, unseen to our human eyes, but real nonetheless.

This battle isn't to be taken lightly, but also not something to be afraid of.

You see, since before the beginning of time, a war has been ongoing. Only one side will come out victorious. We get to choose which side we want to align ourselves with.

I will say, the winning side is God. Creator of the Universe. The One who breathed life into our very being. There's no doubt in my mind.

So why, if God is so mighty, does this battle go on so long? Why doesn't He just end it right now? (Maybe I am the only one who's wondered?)

After reading through Job, I have come to realize it doesn't matter why God allows anything to happen. I may never know the answers, but I can trust that His ways are more effective than I could ever attempt to imagine. And He invites us to participate in His plan, follow His lead, and trust. 

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts in You.

~ Isaiah 26:3 NKJV ~

The problem with trust, however, is that we have to take our hands off the thing that we want His intervention in. If we truly want Him to move in that area, we have to let Him do so in His time, His way.

This is hard.

This past week, I was reminded of a Scripture spoken over me when I was 18-years old, graduating high school:

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

~ Isaiah 40:31 NKJV ~

It's in the waiting that our trust is tested, isn't it? Especially when we don't know the outcome. Maybe it'll be all that we'd hoped or imagined it would be. Maybe it'll look nothing like we'd imagined.

It'll be better.

I have a friend who was a pastor. He spent his years giving to anyone who had need. His wife once told me how they'd spent months saving for a new sofa, and just when they were almost able to walk into a store and pick their sofa, the couple sensed the Lord ask them to give that money to someone else who needed it. In obedience, they gave it. And a sofa better than the one they were looking at was given to them.

This same pastor drove cars that he could pay cash for. He couldn't justify purchasing something new when he could drive a perfectly dependable "beater". Then one day, he was encouraged to see what leasing a vehicle for his wife would cost. In the process, he was given a deal that put him into a pickup truck he never imagined or hoped for. It was everything he'd wished for ... and more.

He'd learned contentment through the waiting.

It would be a disservice if we weren't warned of the trenches in warfare we will walk through while we wait.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

~ Proverbs 13:12 NKJV ~

It's important to understand that the devil, our enemy, is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy us (John 10:10). He is smart enough to know that attacking us in our areas of strength will reap no reward for him.

He is also in the waiting. Watching. Taking notes. And he can see the areas that are weakening due to either fatigue or doubt. These spots are like holes in our fence where he can gain access and do with us as he did with Eve in the garden. He plays mind games, questioning God's faithfulness in such a way, with enough truth-mixed-with-lies that we don't immediately recognize the deception or that we're being injected with a deadly virus.

I have found seven weapons Satan likes to use against us:

1. Deception: The Art of Twisting the Truth
2. Temptation: Luring into Sin
3. Accusation: The Voice of Shame and Condemnation
4. Division: Sowing Discord and Disunity
5. Fear and Discouragement: Paralyzing the Heart
6. Pride: The Subtle Trap of Self-Exaltation
7. Distraction: Pulling Hearts Away from God

(retrieved from Bible Analysis)

We also have a prescription for protection against these fiery darts:

1. Belt of Truth
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
3. Shoes for feet: the readiness given by the gospel of peace
4. Shield of Faith
5. Helmet of Salvation
6. Sword of the Spirit
7. Prayer

(Ephesians 6:10-19)

Over the next few weeks, I will break each one down and discuss them, as well as the truth we need to break off the chains that would weigh us down.

We are always under attack from the enemy. We will always be targeted by the enemy for as long as there is breath in our lungs. We need to understand that we are not powerless.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

~ II Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV ~

If your wait-time has been long, and you feel weary, please allow me to tell you this: it's normal as a human. As children of God, we have this hope, that Jesus cares for us and wants us to allow Him to carry our burdens.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

~ Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV ~

Until next time--and beyond--find rest for your soul in Christ Jesus.

💜 Karlene J 💜