Have you ever felt underdressed for an event? You know you walk into what you thought was a casual affair and everyone is decked out in more formal attire and you just feel out of place? Or, what about not wearing a coat when the temperature is colder than expected? Being underdressed for certain occasions is not really a big deal, but what is a big deal is not being properly “dressed” for battle. If a soldier goes into battle with just civilian clothes on, he is not only “underdressed” but he is ill equipped. The apparel he wears is essential for his protection and ultimately, his success. But, you may be thinking this is all well and good for the soldier, but for the everyday person, the type of clothing we wear won’t make or break our daily life. But, I am here to suggest that what we wear does make a difference! In fact, we are in a battle every single day and what we wear to this fight is not only important, it is critical for whether we win or lose!

As I write this blog, I am coming off of a season where I was walking into a battle daily. Because of my years as a Christ follower, this should have been a piece of cake for me. I know God’s word; I teach God’s word; I have experienced the faithfulness of God, and I have years of “battle-fighting” under my belt, so nothing should have been a surprise or too much of a struggle. But it didn’t take me long to realize that I was NOT winning the daily challenges. I had days where I felt completely overwhelmed with the day to day decisions and other days where I couldn’t shake feelings of anxiety and depression. What had happened to me? I am usually a positive person, a person who lives in the confidence of who God is, but this was not how I was living. As you might guess, this battle I am speaking of was being fought entirely in my mind as I faced an unseen enemy, the father of lies who was throwing out all of the stops to stir up fear, discouragement, guilt, defeat…in me like I have never experienced! During this time, I had numerous friends speak truth to me, encourage and pray for me, but I simply couldn’t seem to crawl out of this darkness I was in. Until one day, it all became clear. 

The struggle I faced has been faced by Christians throughout the centuries and will continue to be a part of our earthly experience until Jesus returns. But thankfully, In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul gives a very clear plan for how to handle this inevitable reality. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. 

This  passage is packed with powerful truths that can literally change our daily struggles to victories, but the focus for today, on the first day of 2022, is the point that I was missing, In order to win the daily battles, the key word is WHOLE armor of God. Paul mentions “whole”  twice to emphasize that we will NOT be able to “stand up” against the “devil’s schemes” if we are underdressed! This was my issue. I had been trying to walk through the season with only part of the armor on and I was simply unprotected. Each part of the armor described by Paul is there to protect the different areas where satan will attack. God has literally given us an arsenal to help us be prepared and equipped. Truth, righteousness, salvation, faith and the Word of God are all necessary if we are going to be successful in this fight!

I am guessing many of you can relate to the struggle I was in, and like me, you are ready for 2022 to be different. The question is: Where do we start? We begin with an acknowledgment that we can not do this alone. Our strength comes from the Lord, and it is His armor not our own that will get us safely through the spiritual war we are in! We then need to suit up by committing everything to the Lord through prayer. In fact, we need to see God as our commander who is ready to meet with us daily to give us the plan of action. Let’s don’t take another step without first consulting our leader!

So, this is how we will get through the days ahead, first, on our knees, and then we can “stand firm”. So, don’t be stressed in 2022!

Success is all in the way you dress!