This is How We Fight our Battles

Last week I got a call from someone who told me that they had tested positive for the dreaded virus.  It got me thinking, what if I was the one tasked with cleaning their home, car, or work area?  What would that look like?  How would I approach it and what would I do to keep myself safe?  I would like to ask you the same questions: Today, if you had to fight the Coronavirus head on what would you don before entering the skirmish?  A hazmat suit?  Gloves, a mask, clothes you could burn?  What would you take with you into that battle?  Lysol, heavy duty disinfectant, a blowtorch (not suggesting by the way)?  What would be your protection when you entered that room?

I know what I would take into that fight.  I would don coveralls, my purple disposable gloves, the most lethal disinfectant I could find, rubber boots, a mask, and last but not least goggles.  Oh, and I almost forgot, ear protection.  Overkill?  That depends on who you ask.  How about in your daily walk?  Do you walk into work, do your shopping, drop off the kids, and run errands donned with the correct battle gear?   

So many of us face our every day battles unprepared and without any armor or protection whatsoever.  Many of us have found ourselves at one time or another going through life in our own strength and on our own terms which leaves us exhausted and defeated.  We were never meant to do life this way.  We were never meant to do life alone, unprepared, or in our own strength.  We were made to be in a relationship with our creator, made to gather our strength from the source of all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.  We are called to clothe ourselves in God’s righteousness.

How do we do this?  Just like any other relationship, we must nourish the one we have with God.  We must prioritize it and spend quality alone time with Him.  When you’re thirsty you get a drink, if you’re hungry you look for food.  When you’re tired you seek rest.  But how often do we seek rest for our souls, for our spiritual wellbeing?  How often do we drink from the well of life, sit at the feet of all wisdom, or prepare ourselves for the ups and downs of everyday life by going to the very source of life itself?  

If we don’t go to the source Himself, we will go through our days unprepared for what we must face.  We need rest.

–Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of your who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 NLT

We must have food and water.  

-Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.  Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35 NLT)

-“But whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty again!  On the contrary, the water I give him will become a spring of water inside him, welling up into eternal life!” (John 4:14 CLB)

We must know who we are.

-“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.  When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1a-3a NLT)  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God.  And that is what we are.  (1 John 3:1a NKJV)

We must have a source of strength.

-“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2 NIV)  

We must be equipped with the right gear for the fight.

-Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6:13-18 NLT)  

Are you equipped for the battle ahead?  Are you plugged into the right source and wearing the right attire?