Everything To Stand – Part 5
January 21, 2010Pastoral Counsel – Jen Miller
Crisis: 309.712.5149
Appointment: jen@sara-ministry.com
Jen is a…
Part 5: Continuing study of Ephesians 6:13-14
“…and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…”
By guest writer, Randi Shaffer.
What does life present day in and day out, in every place we find ourselves at any given moment that necessitates a choice to either obey God’s directive to “stand” on His principles and promises or not in this 24/7 spiritual war we live in?
An intimate look at daily life as presented to one Christian woman…
2000 miles away, Mom is suffering from what may be M.S. Brother is an Iraqi war veteran whose wounds far outlast his scars; he is now an addict and alcoholic who struggles daily to choose sobriety. Dad seems to be…depressed.
10 hours away, Grandpa is dying. Grandma is…depressed. Aunt is physically and emotionally exhausted from caring for her parents.
Several rooms away, stepdaughter is torn between confusion, fear, and sadness. Husband hates his job and can’t forgive himself for past mistakes, and he is…depressed.
Meanwhile, she just miscarried a child. She is surrounded daily by souls enslaved to addiction and mental health issues who constantly remind her of her own character defects and sadness. Sometimes she feels like God is far away.
They’re broke, in debt, and can’t pay their bills on time. She looks at their lovely home and only sees an exhibit of their past irresponsible spending. She knows they may lose their home. She feels like she has failed…
Maybe this Christian woman sounds like you. She is for certain…me. I am the daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, stepmother, wife, and case manager shared in all the above of these precious souls.
But, I am… no longer hopelessly depressed. Why?
Let’s continue to examine God’s word as written through Paul for the answer:
“…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able tostand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” Ephesians 6:12-14
This passage says we’re supposed to put on God’s armor, starting with a belt for “when the day of evil comes.” But has “the day of evil” even arrived yet?
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16
Yep, the “day of evil” is here.
So, I can’t afford to shut down. I need to do “everything” necessary to be able to stand firm, because my struggle is not with humanity (my own humanness nor anyone else’s). No, it’s with something much bigger, more powerful, more distracting, and frighteningly more strategic. It’s with something that is actually “out to get me.” Maybe I should approach this struggle as a soldier would approach a battle against his most capable enemy. I need to be disciplined, strong, ready to follow orders, armed, anddangerous.
Just like the Roman soldiers back in Paul’s day…
Check back as we begin to examine the “full armor of God” and continue our search for “the reason for the hope that [I] have!” 1 Peter 3:15
Mirror-check time:
With what are you struggling? What paralyzes you in these “days of evil”? Something to think about…
Joy Copyright 2010 Jen Miller – All Rights Reserved
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