Last year about this time, I found myself depressed! I wouldn’t say it was a clinical depression but one that left me feeling pretty blue. I tried to shake it off but couldn’t. I began to ask the question, “What the heck is wrong with me?” Picking up a book about prayer one weekend, while in the big city, I quickly devoured it. I couldn’t wait to read more each morning, highlighting (because that’s what we Christians do), and trying to memorize each word.
Could this be it? Is my prayer life struggling? Yes, even as a pastor’s wife, my prayer life had red flags all over it. I remember our schedule starting to spiral out of control, to many meetings, less family time. Funerals, weddings, counseling. I began to withdraw from people but most of all, I began to withdraw from God. I kept saying, “I will pray this evening or when I run”, constantly putting God off. I broke down in tears one day knowing there was no way, as a Christian, that I could do this alone. A loose schedule will beat up your plans with God every time. You may have experienced this lack of Prayer Time yourself.
This is what I finally had to do………………..
I put on my ARMOR! The book was called, The Kneeling Warrior. Not only did I rediscover the power of putting on my full armor daily but I also discovered something I had never seen before. Have you ever looked at Eph. 5 and 6 together. I had not… or if I had, I had forgotten. I want to share with you some things that changed how I view the importance of my role as a child of God, a wife, a mother, and a follower of Christ.
This is what I learned about the 7 Spiritual Essentials of Every Puncher…………..or anyone that calls Christ their own.
Before we are told to put on the full armor of God, Paul gives instructions for our lives……..lots of instruction. Undisputable, clear defined instruction, beginning in Eph. 5 and continuing through 6. I know you can read this for yourself and I encourage you to do so, but here’s what I learned.
- Follow God’s example
- Love people
- Don’t worship the things of the world. A crammed packed calendar might be okay with some people but it doesn’t work for me.
- How I act should show Christ to myself, my spouse, my family, the body of believers, and the world. There should be a difference.
- Make the most of every opportunity. How can I do this if I just run myself into the ground and have my priorities out of whack!
- Sing, yes sing, make music to the Lord in your heart. It’s pretty hard to stay depressed when you sing.
- Be thankful
- Love, respect, and submit to your spouse. As, I said in my post, Why Greeting Him at the Door, Leaves Him Beggin’ for More. The world view of this and a Christ view are totally different. Husbands love your wife as yourself, wives submit to your husbands. This is not a brow beaten, I’m better than you love….it’s a genuine, giving your life for another type love.
- Children, honor your parents
- Workers, work as to the Lord
- Bosses, treat your employees good. God shows no favorites
- Work with enthusiasm
- The Lord will reward our work
And all of this takes place before He tells us to put on our full armor. I believe there is a reason for this. We can quickly get caught off guard with our walk with Christ, with our priorities in our marriages, family, relationships. We begin to exchange the truth for a lie. Putting on this armor of salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, peace, understanding and using Gods Word, with prayer to Him. If I guard all of my decisions through the lens of those pieces of armor than I can better stay on track.
Our decisions will be clear. Our beliefs will be clear. Our relationship with God and others will be clear. I encourage you to examine whether you are putting on His full armor.
What is a way that you see yourself putting on the full armor of God in today’s world? As always, I love to hear from you. Please sign up for my newsletter. Thank you
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