Christian Living

Settling for Less

The faintest light penetrates an inky sky as I awaken to the sounds of my husband shuffling about the house. I hear the clink of the coffeepot as it meets the edge of his mug and know it’s time to ready myself for the day ahead.

Leaning toward the nightstand, I fumble for my glasses and then flick on the table lamp. My first impulse is to slip my fingers around the cool metal of the laptop waiting expectantly on my desk. I’ve been preoccupied lately, filling the first few minutes of the morning checking email accounts and posting on social media.

Not wrong, these quiet pre-dawn moments are the rare, uninterrupted times I used to share with the Lord, and I’ve fallen into the habit of settling for less. Of forgetting that each day ebbs and flows with challenge and the reality of unseen influence requires prayer and equipping.

The sunrise may be beautiful and the house quiet, but the enemy is always prepared to infiltrate, attack, or ambush.

Why We Need to Gear Up

“The devil is working against (us). He is walking around like a hungry lion with his mouth open. He is looking for someone to eat.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Scanning Facebook instead of donning spiritual battle gear puts me at risk. Makes me vulnerable. And, worse, renders me useless as a woman living in her own strength rather than Christ’s.
If you’ve ever struggled to remain disciplined in prayer or Bible study, you understand.

But, there are souls walking around who need the hope we have. There are wounded hearts hemorrhaging for the love of Jesus. And we are the ones called to serve as spiritual soldiers. With eternity hanging in the balance, it’s no wonder we’re told to put on the full armor of God.

Seven Encouraging Bible Verses About Spiritual Warfare

• Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
• Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. (Psalm 20:7)
• …taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16)
• For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh… (2 Corinthians 10:3)
• For 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. (Ephesians 6:12)
• The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped… (Psalm 28:7)
• Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)

Stand Our Ground

I’m gearing up and strapping on, friend. Will you join me? Let’s get ready to stand our ground.

Action Step:                                                                                                                       

Personalize the verses below as you pray them aloud by inserting your name in the blanks.

Finally, ______________, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you, __________,  can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For _____________’s 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 to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Peace and grace,
Tammy