Armed Against DepressionSýnishorn

Day Five: Shield of Faith

The enemy will work to find a clear shot to take down each soldier it can, and at times use weapons that are meant to cause mass destruction. In present times, the ancient use of individual shields has transitioned to things like body armor and physical objects and structures. However, the concept and the function have remained the same.

A shield is meant to take the impact of shells, mortars, and bullets. Whether it’s body armor, a truck, a tank, or even a wall, a physical object is meant to stop a fatal blow. In military campaigns, part of the strategy is to use the terrain and objects already in place to navigate around, in order to create barriers that will protect the whole unit.

The enemy’s continual assault on a unit will result in body armor or structures being shaken by a blow meant to injure or kill a unit member. When a shielding structure takes the force of the impact, it needs to be refortified. If not, it will not hold up when the next attack happens.

Our faith is the same: it is not safe to assume that the faith you started with on your first day of following Jesus will be enough to sustain you through this life. Faith involves having hope and believing in what we cannot see.

Depression will make it hard to see God and the truth of his power and love for you. This life is brutal, and the enemy is relentless. He knows the power of hope and the confidence that comes from believing God is loving and good. Depression causes feelings of hopelessness, especially if he can convince you that God has left the fight and doesn’t love you.

Depression is lying to you. Run and hide behind the shield God has designed to protect you and hold fast to the idea that although you can’t see God right now, He hasn’t left you. God has loved you so much he has chosen to hurt with you and for you.

Although a shield is a defensive piece of equipment designed to protect from enemy attacks, it is used in offensive moves. As our army, the body of Christ, advances into Satan’s territory, he will try to hold us back. We are in this fight together. If you find your faith is shaken and you are unsure how to fortify it, don’t be afraid to run to a fellow member of our unit and ask for help. We all need to continually strengthen our faith together.

To do: Write out your emotions and thoughts and decipher where you feel most vulnerable. Talk to another trusted believer about where you feel your faith has been shaken and build it back by discussing times when God has shown himself to you. Look up verses that discuss God as a “shield,” choose your favorite and memorize it.

Jesus, we know the enemy is trying to destroy our hope and make us believe that we will never feel positive emotions again. I pray we would not believe this lie and you would help rebuild our hope by reminding us daily you are still in the fight. Although evil may seem to be prevailing, the battle will be won!