Life can be like a battlefield sometimes with all the different challenges we face as humans. No one is immune to the unknowns of life. A Health diagnosis’, financial problems, an addiction or an addicted family member, difficult relationships sometimes leading to a very difficult home life, loneliness, divorce, the death of a loved one. So many situations that break our hearts and steal the joy from life. Hopelessness can lead to depression where the chaos becomes a constant raging battle of the mind.

I have personally faced quite a few painful battles in life and some very traumatic memories come to mind. I’m sure you have yours that come to mind as well. I can remember anxiety through the roof that has caused me the inability to fall asleep till the wee hours of the night. Playing over and over in my mind the scenarios to solve the problems I was dealing with at the time. Escaping the abusive home I lived in for years, hoping for a peaceful refuge of safety. Life comes with ups and downs, some worse than others.

What is the answer to win the battles of life? First and foremost is having a firm foundation of faith in God through Jesus Christ. As I grew in my faith and really took the word of God to heart, I learned to face battles in life without fear! I became sure of the faithfulness of God to me, personally. Just saying you believe in God and going to church is not enough to win battles.

Winning battles takes action and God’s word tells us in Ephesians 6:10-18 to be strong in the Lord and to put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against all the schemes of the enemy (Satan, the prince of the power of the air-Ephesians 2:2, The thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy-John 10:10.) We people are the target of a spiritual darkness that I believe is behind every evil; diseases, addictions, sexual abuse, human sex trafficking, murder and everything that kills, steals and destroys the joy of mankind.

The full armor of God is a complete wardrobe for winning the raging battles of life. Here’s the list:

Belt of Truth-Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” God’s Word is truth-John 17:17, Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” John 14:6

Breastplate of Righteousness- Ephesians 6:14 …”with the breastplate of righteousness.”“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL who believe.” Romans 3:22. We are only right with God through believing in JESUS!

Boots of the Gospel of Peace-Ephesians 6:15 “And your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” The gospel of peace is the good news of Jesus love for us, to die for us and rise again to save us from our sins! Wear them whatever you face in life and wherever you go. These boots were made for walking it out!

Shield of Faith-Ephesians 6:16 “And take up the shield of faith with which you will extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Faith in Jesus Christ is a firm foundation that will carry us through every trial of life we face. Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 about faith, it’s absolutely incredible!

Helmet of Salvation-Ephesians 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation.” A helmet protects your mind from fearful thoughts and lies from the enemy. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through Jesus Christ, He died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep (dead or alive), we may live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

Sword of the Spirit-Ephesians 6:17 “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” God’s word, the Bible, is crucial to winning raging battles. When Jesus faced the enemy in the desert of His life, He used God’s word to fight and win. Satan had to leave and then the angels came to help Jesus. See Matthew 4:1-11 to read the full account. God’s word is alive and powerful according to Hebrews 4:12. We must learn to use it, if we want to be victorious in the battles of life.

Pray in the Spirit and be alert-Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” There’s power in prayer, they don’t have to be a whole lot of eloquent words but just sincere words and cries from the heart. Praying God’s words are also incredibly powerful prayers, consider the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6:9-14 and Psalm 23. I also like to pray Romans 8:37-39 personally, “I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me and nothing can separate me from God’s love in ChristJesus.”

My hope today is that you, my friend will hunger and thirst for more of God’s word and that you will win every battle of life that comes your way. Some battles take longer, but stay the course, read the word and pray for guidance daily. I pray for God’s strength to hold your heart and keep you in perfect peace through your journey, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

In His Love, Sharon Kay