Finding Joy in the StruggleSample

Day 3: Read Ephesians Chapter 6

It is time to be strong in the Lord and prepare to gain ground in your struggle. If you are in a difficult season of life, you are probably in the middle of a spiritual battle. Protective gear and training are needed. The time for being passive is over, and taking spiritual action is important. Just as an athlete prepares for an event, you must do so as well. In Ephesians 6, Paul identifies God’s steps for gaining spiritual strength which include putting on the full armor of God. He tells us to be strong and to stand against Satan’s plans. It may feel like we are struggling with others, but we are not. In a spiritual battle, it’s not the earthly people we are fighting with, but powers and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. Once you recognize this, it will change how you react to those people.

The full armor of God is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. This armor will help us stand firm and not allow the evil one to take ground in our life and the lives of our loved ones.

To become victorious in the spiritual battles, we must arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God. Satan is your enemy and is using your struggles, emotions, and possibly even certain people around you to beat you down. Sometimes he will throw big problems and distractions at you, and other times it’s 20 different little things that all build up that make you feel defeated. Whichever it may be, you can stand firm with God’s armor.

As does anyone going into battle, prepare and plan. The obvious steps are to immerse yourself in the word, pray and worship. There are other things you can do as well. Analyze any gaps or kinks in your armor in the areas of sin and righteousness, and then fix them by turning and repenting. Identify areas that Satan has tried to trip you up in the past to be ready for them. Finally, go through a mental journey of when God has shown up for you in the past. Express your gratitude for those times because he can do it again. Be alert and ready.

Spend some time identifying what the armor of God looks like in your situation. Acknowledge if there is any specific area you need to strengthen that will make you ready for the spiritual battle you are in. Suit up with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God! This a practical way to find joy in Christ today regardless of your circumstances.