This line plays over and over in my head like a song on repeat. It gives me the extra push I need to make it through the day. It calms my wandering heart when I am confused. It soothes my restless spirit amid fear. With an assertive breath, I can breathe in His power and His confidence, for my strength alone is weakness.
The idea of a battle is intriguing to me. I pride myself on keeping up-to-date on all the action movies, books, and television shows. It’s not good unless someone is thrown into a perilous, life-or-death situation. If someone isn’t getting head-butted or roundhouse-kicked, you can count me out.
My imagination is extensive, so it isn’t much of a stretch to imagine myself as an elfin warrior leading a phalanx of pointy-eared troops with gleaming armor into battle. In my mind, I’m both the fiercest soldier and the bravest trainee.
However, not all conflicts look the same. Sometimes, real life battles are an entirely different matter altogether. When I face battles that challenge my bravery, I often cower in reluctance and fear, frantically searching for someone else to see my desperation and come to my aid.
Throughout the day, I think often of the Lord and His mysterious ways. I don’t understand how He works or why He chooses to work the way He does, but I don’t have to know. If my finite mind could comprehend an infinite God, He would cease to be infinite. At times I am paralyzed with anxiety. On the outside, I appear calm, collected. But on the inside, I battle fear, worry, stress, confusion, and loneliness. I go toe-to-toe with the devil and his craftiness; the way he bends words to make me believe a certain way is terrifying. He knows my weakest points and uses them to his full advantage and my downfall.
My mind flashes back to a conversation I had with my Pawpaw one morning, during our daily coffee talks. We had discussed my family and how they were doing. Pawpaw had spread before me a feast of wisdom I would later share with my sisters. I began packing up to leave, sliding my backpack around my shoulders, grabbing my coffee cup with one hand, and slipping my phone in my back pocket with the other.
On the verge of turning to face Pawpaw, to give him a hug and a light kiss on the cheek before leaving, I heard his simple words: “Here’s your sword.”
Time seemed to stand still, the already quiet house suddenly quieter, as if the air itself had ceased moving.
I turned slowly, a sudden peace filling my agitated mind.
Pawpaw’s arm outstretched toward me, his hand firmly grasping my Bible. I wasn’t going to forget it; my Bible goes with me every day. But Pawpaw’s matter-of-fact statement gave me great assurance in that moment. It reminded me what is truly important in this life.
I smiled up at him. Then, without a word, I took up my sword.
Ephesians 6:13-17 reminds us to be prepared: “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Who knows what we may face in “the evil day” — a body weak from sickness, a blinding headache, hidden secrets, frustrating coworkers, deadlines, a lost loved one, a hurting child, disturbing news, terrible bosses, or a fearful countenance. It is easy for these moments to overwhelm, too much for us to bear. So, it is crucial to wake up each morning and dress in the whole armor of God. Fasten the truth belt. Slide on the righteous breastplate. Slip into the shoes of the gospel. Firmly grasp our shield of faith. Protect our minds with salvation, and boldly wield the Spirit’s sword — that we may be able to withstand that evil day.
The battle is the Lord’s.
About the Writer: Claire Ryan works as the event coordinator at D6 Family Ministry. Her hobbies include reading, writing, athletics, and time spent with family and friends. Coffee is her go-to, and donuts are a major food group.
