Felt like this lately?

Sometimes we feel like we placed an apple on our head.  Like we enticed someone to shoot at us, but the truth is that we don’t need to invite the enemy to take aim and fire.  He is already shooting flaming darts at us 24/7.

Strategy

Every year on Christmas Day my husband and I make sure that there are Nerf guns and plenty of ammo under the tree for the whole family.  We split into teams and have the annual Nerf war.  It has become a tradition.

The second year we learned a lot.  We were limited to the indoors due to the rain.  So it was time to take cover with what we had.  I don’t think there was much in the main part of the house that didn’t get moved, including furniture.  Whatever it took to block the darts of the enemy was something we did.  This included belting on a shield made of the laundry hamper top.  Of course once my husband saw mine he decided it was a great idea and robbed the other hamper for protection.  We improvised.

Unfortunately we can’t improvise with our weapons of spiritual warfare!

Got a Shield?

Who walks into war without a shield?  Someone bound to retreat or be wounded and die, that’s who.  Our faith is our shield.  It can be forgotten and then dropped by the wayside when we get tired.

In the picture above the soldier is just standing there while his shield rests behind him.  As believers we cannot drop our shield, or just pose with it.  We have to be alert and watchful so that we may avoid danger.

So how do we pick it up and use it?

Using the Shield

We use it by placing our trust in God in every battle.  Giving His word the final say in all our circumstances.  In the good, the bad, and the ugly.  By humbling ourselves under His mighty hand of protection through belief in what He has done for us in Christ, and remembrance of His help in the past.  We pick it up by remembrance, and strengthen it with His word.

So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 NKJV

That word can be heard by reading it, hearing teaching from others, and testimony by fellow believers.  Even praise and worship music adds to our faith when it coincides with the Word of God.  Prayer also builds our faith.

Praying in the Spirit builds us up on our most Holy faith.  (Jude 1:20)  We can also pray the Word which simply means turning what you read into a prayer that is personalized to you.

We Need the Faith of Others

When the Romans went into battle they had shields that were body sized.  They protected the entire person.  When placed together with other shields they made an impenetrable wall of protection.  Like a turtle shell that protects the vulnerable animal inside.

There are times in our life when our circumstances seem to heavy for our faith.  In those moments we need to find other believers who can pray with us, or even a prayer line we can call that allows another to use their faith regarding our situation.  Warning:  Don’t stay in the dark in those moments.  Instead take your needs into the light by sharing them with others of like faith. Then enemy wants you isolated. Pride comes before the fall. (Proverbs 16:17-18)

Challenge

What area of your shield of faith is in need of strengthening?  Find the Word of God on that subject, and start building your faith.  Read it out loud, seek a sermon or bible study that can help, pray that word, and put on some praise music that will turn your attention toward the one you believe in.

If you feel you are not struggling in any area of your faith, then you need to continue to build on what you have.  You are in a preparation time and between heavy fire.  A good soldier cares for his weapons off the battleground.

Remember we have the victory in Jesus! ❤ Melinda

If you liked this post consider sharing it with others who need strengthening of their shield.  Share your faith!