the warzone

we are under attack.
and we don't even realize it.

little things have been happening. seemingly coincidental things that are frustrating me and the people close to me. we are feeling burdened, overworked, and simply unmotivated. nothing seems to be going our definition of right.

it's easy to think that maybe if you'd been more careful and washed your hands more you wouldn't have gotten this cold. or if you hadn't taken a 3 hour nap yesterday afternoon you wouldn't have been up all night writing your paper and then overslept and missed class. or if you'd have been paying more attention you wouldn't have lost that specific important item. that if you had done things differently (been in more control of the situation) the end result would be different. it's easy to think that way. and it's true...to a certain extent.

we all have our weaknesses...the things that distract us from where our attention should be. for some people it's busyness. their time becomes consumed with the demands of school or work and their thoughts are consumed along with it. for some it's illnesses. they get sick and convince themselves their incapable of doing anything and focus all their attention on their illness. for others it's relationships. the potentiality of a new relationship or the obstacles of a current relationship rise to the forefront of their minds and becomes all they think about. sometimes it's the stress cycle. they have a lot on their mind and because they aren't totally focused things get forgotten or lost and in turn cause more stress and frustration. for some people it's all about appearance. their minds are set totally on making impressions on others.

these are the devil's tools.
he knows our weaknesses. these places where it is so easy for us to become distracted. he loves to use the age-old tactic of distraction. if he can slip into a weak area of our life and manipulate it in such a way that it gets our focus off God and onto ourselves and our sorrows, then he has succeeded in opening the door for further downward spiraling.

this is the story of my life lately.
we are under attack.
and we're just starting to realize it.

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. 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. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
-ephesians 6: 10-18 msg

here are some wise words that were shared with me:
belt of truth - truth is what holds everything together. when you lose your pants it puts you in a vulnerable situation (to say the least!). every time you believe one of the devil's lies, you loosen that belt one notch. knowing that you know the truth keeps everything where it should be.
breastplate of righteousness - the breastplate protects our heart...our emotions. as believers, the righteousness (the perfection) of God dwells within us, surrounding our heart.
feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel - everything we do, every action we take, is done because of the gospel. because of how it has changed our life. we also do everything with the spreading of the gospel in mind.
the shield of faith - our faith is the ultimate defense tool. it wards off the flaming arrows of the devil. every time Satan sends an attack our way, we confidently hold up our faith and refuse to accept it.
the helmet of salvation - the helmet protects our head...our mind...our mind which is the birthplace of all the lies whispered by the voice of the devil. but with our mind protected by our salvation, we remember whose we are.
the sword of the spirit - the Word of God is our ONLY offensive tool against the devil. granted, he knows it all, and he is more than ready to manipulate us through it. we must be ready to fight back like Jesus in Matthew 4.

but...what about our back? there's no armor of God protecting our back. but that's why it's so important for us as believers to pray for each other. Satan is not just trying to destroy us, but those close to us as well. it is through our prayers for each other that we stand back to back, fully protected and ready for battle!

...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it...
matt 16:18b

when i use the term "we", i don't use it as a generalization. i most definitely include myself, but i know i'm not the only one struggling with this right now. i believe that if WE put on the armor of God d.a.i.l.y - literally think through each item and put it on - then WE will be ready to stand against the enemy. the God that we serve is bigger than that enemy. He is all-powerful, all-seeing, all places and HE IS ON OUR SIDE!!!

we are under attack.
and we are ready to do something about it.


//when satan tempts me to despair/
and tells me of the guilt within/
upward i look and see Him there/
who made an end to all my sin/
because the sinless Savior died/
my sinful soul is counted free/
for God the just is satisfied/
to look on Him and pardon me//