Anytime a soldier goes into battle, you can bet he is going to have his war clothes on. Wouldn’t you? If you are anything like me, you have found yourself going into battle without even knowing what personal war clothes were. If you were to ask me, “Hey Allie, have you got your war clothes on?” I might have looked at you like you were crazy! But today, I know what war clothes are and I learned when you step foot out of your bed, it’s best to have them on. We don’t want to get caught in a battle without them. So what am I saying? Let me tell you a story.
Several years ago I was in the middle of a huge legal battle. A girlfriend of mine wrote some words down on a card for me about a week before I had to be in court and said, “Allie, bury these words in your heart. If you do, you will be prepared for battle.” That sounded perfect to me. I read the words on the card and held them against my heart claiming, “These are my truth today.” I don’t know about you, but court rooms and lawyers used to intimidate me. My exposure with lawyers was extensive, yet I still felt a great fear in their presence. In past experiences I felt belittled, condemned and invalidated.
So on this day, I gathered my files, my portfolio and my index cards with the words that sustained me, my war clothes! I drove to the lawyer’s office, went in and sat in a room alone with my attorney and another hired professional. They left the room for a brief period and I stood from my chair, turned around and gazed out the window of the twenty story building into the vast blue sky. I lifted my right hand holding tight to my war clothes and began reading them softly but loud enough that I could hear my voice. “Arm yourself each day with the Helmet of understanding, you have received the gift of salvation and nothing can take that away from you. Make sure you guard your heart with the breastplate of righteousness. When you think, say and do the right things, there is no way anyone can make you second guess your intentions, words or actions.Make sure you add the belt of truth. This goes back to always doing the right thing, and also stating the truth in a way that is usually contrary to the way it may look. This is where we can use the shield of faith. Never doubt that the truth is always the best way. Truth may hurt, but it can also bring freedom. Your only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit. This is your most powerful, most protective weapon in your arsenal. Use it wisely and it will be good to you. Remember to put on the shoes of peace. Always be ready to share the good news. When we walk in peace with others, we are demonstrating that they too are worthy, they are loved by the same God who loves us.
My day was chaotic and I might have been chaotic on the inside too. I wasn’t though, and it was only because those words I held in my hand were words that were buried in my heart and I believed them. Take it from a person who knows, remember to armor up daily!