The Bible tells us to be strong, to stand firm, and not be shaken when we face adversity or the storms of life. Wow! That’s a tall order. But the good news is that we are not expected to be strong in our own power—we must seek God’s strength, for He is the ruler of the universe!
The first step in this journey is putting on the helmet of salvation. When we get dressed, we don’t typically put on our hat first, but spiritually, salvation—accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior—is where our path begins. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). By surrendering our will and flesh to the Holy Spirit, we allow Him to lead and guide us in all truth.
Next, by our own free will, we take up the shield of faith. Remember, “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV). God has already given each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and it is up to us to nurture and grow it. Faith is like a seed planted in good soil. If kept in a small pot, it will only grow within the space given. But when transplanted into a larger pot, it will continue to grow and thrive. Likewise, our faith expands as we hear the Word of God and meditate on it day and night. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11, NKJV). When we are no longer in bondage to sin, we are set free to flourish in the blessings of God. The more we study God’s Word, declare His promises, and exercise our faith, the more we will see an overflow of His blessings in our lives.
We then gird ourselves with the belt of truth. In today’s world, many live in half-truths and grey areas, but God’s Word is absolute—right vs. wrong. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17, NKJV). The devil is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). If we believe his lies, we surrender our rights as Adam did in the Garden of Eden. But God has not given us a spirit of fear; instead, He has given us “a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). Therefore, we stand firm, holding onto His promises and never settling for less!
We put on the shoes of peace, walking confidently in God’s love and assurance. No matter what we face, we know God sees us as sinless, for we are covered by the sacrificial blood of Christ. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, NKJV). With the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance, we can shut out all doubt and fear and walk the path to victory.
Above all, we protect ourselves with the breastplate of righteousness. We have asked for forgiveness, and God has cleansed us. Now, we strive to remain in right standing with Him. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). If we ever find ourselves in situations where speaking the truth may bring challenges, we must seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know what to say and how to act in righteousness.
Now, fully equipped, we take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. This is our weapon to fight against the enemy. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12, NKJV). When we declare Scripture, we disable every evil work and prove the devil a liar. As we live in victory, others will see God’s power at work in our lives, giving us opportunities to share the good news of His kingdom.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father,
I desire to please You in all I do and say. I ask for Your strength to guide me so that “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14, NKJV). I also pray the prayer of Jabez:
"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV).
Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayers and for the strength You give me daily to overcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
