Armored Up

 


I wasted some good sleep this weekend fretting over an incident that happened right before the week's end. That was not the first time I have had this same experience with this same person. As a matter of fact it is something I should be expecting, since it has happened multiple times before. Yet, I had my guard down, and wham! Knowing I had to go back to that place, and encounter that person again, I was on edge. I really hate those encounters. So I reminded myself of my favorite Jim Staley quote: the trials you hate are the proving grounds for your spiritual promotion. 

I prayed up, I rested on Sabbath, and fed my spirit good things from The Word of Yah. I got up Monday morning and began getting ready for the day, my thoughts went to the spiritual armor. (Ephesians 6:10-18) My belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness,  the gospel of peace on my feet, the shield of faith, and the helmet of Salvation, with the sword of the Spirit. As I stepped out my door, I thought to myself, "You got this, you're ready for it. Let them do their worst". Then I heard in my spirit, when you properly use your armor, you don't need your fists up. That's the point.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I really was missing the point. I was bracing myself, I was not trusting the armor. I had even misidentified the enemy         ( Ephesians 6:11).  We wrestle not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) This person wasn't what was wounding me. I was listening to the voice of the evil one in the midst of the encounter. The voice was telling me I was not worthy of respect and kindness. "See, even this person knows you deserve to be kicked" Man, that shield of faith is supposed to deflect those firey arrows. Truly, I did not have my armor on, my focus was not on the work of Messiah. I was not focused on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I was slacking in being in The Word/ The Sword of the Spirit. If I were less focused on me and more on Him, My fists would not be up. I would be confident and restrained. I would be peaceful and not flinching, unaffected by the lies of the evil one, able to intercede in prayer. The battle belongs to Yah, not me.  

If my belt of Truth were on, I would have seen, in that person, a creation of The Most High who was struggling.  It was a reflection of what was within them, not about me. My reaction could have been concern and empathy, not self protection and woundedness.  

I know I will have similar encounters in the future,  perhaps even with this same person.  I aim to take this spiritual promotion and walk out the lesson I have learned. I may have to re-aim on my path to this promotion, but I will not accept defeat. 

Abba, Father, blessed are you.  Thank you for not giving up on me. You take me by the hand and guide me thru. You chastise this child you love and mold her into your image. Thank you. 

Just a work in progress 

Teresa

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