TAP TO LISTEN
You know that feeling of complete exhaustion with not much to show for it? Some days as a parent, or just as a human really, we can feel like we have been running nonstop with no breaks and at the end of the day when it’s all said and done, it appears to the eye as if not much has been done. It’s there in that empty feeling of exhaustion mixed with our overworked mind and body that can lead us straight into the distractions that evil wants us to fall right into. We can get stuck here and it can lead us down into a path where our light becomes a little bit more dim and our footing feels a bit off.
It took me some years to understand that sometimes we do and we do and we do and there is nothing to show for it and that is okay. The things that are done on the inside, the renewing of our minds and the refining of our hearts those are the things to be felt that matter much more than any showing of work. Those internal showings that are only seen within are meant to be seen by you and God. That show of work is where our relationship with God gets rooted and grows into His work within us. With processing and time that root takes hold and can spread to grow fruit that will serve others. By the time the spread disperses and the fruit is growing, our heart forgets about the outward look of it all because our focus gets shifted from ourselves to the One who created it all. That is God’s power. He slowly shifts things within us when we keep our focus and thoughts on Him and makes what once felt like a no show into a vision of crystal clear understanding. God allows us to go to these places where our light may feel dim for a bit and where our roots feel shaky. This is all part of it, but as we feel the slow flickering of our lights come back on and the undertaking of the roots grabbing onto the foundation of the world, it is He that rescues us out of the darkness and back onto His solid ground.
God has reshaped my thinking throughout motherhood. He has completely shifted the way I see all things, the good and the bad. He has helped me flip my thoughts within spiritual warfare to see the good through it while glorifying Him in it. I still have those days of thinking, what did I do today? How did I serve people and make a positive impact on others? This is human nature to have these thoughts, but where spiritual formation overcomes humanity is how we answer those thoughts as they pass through our minds. It is how we allow them to carry on within us and shape us. Our response is by taking the thoughts captive and leaning into the truth of what God tells us to do within His word.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
How to take our own thoughts captive is through pausing, praying and then waiting. It is in the wait that we can navigate through the feelings and emotions that God leads us towards while reshaping and shifting our thought patterns. This then helps us magnify the bigger picture almost as if we are able to remove ourselves from the scenario so we can view the spiritual war that is happening around us before allowing it to be within us. This perspective makes it easier to see it all from a different lens and respond beyond our human nature.
This sounds like a much longer process than it really is. It is with time and studying God’s word when all these pieces just seem to happen and before you know it, every thought goes through this shift because what once was human nature thoughts meant to keep you at a standstill become transformed thoughts that align with God’s word. This is you putting on God’s armor one piece at a time standing firm on the truth of God. It is a constant battle that we were never meant to do on our own.
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that WHEN the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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.” Ephesians 6:13-18
Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving us your Word and teaching us how to stand firm when the battles that evil forces throw at us try to take us down. We know that you are all knowing and not surprised by the things of this world. Please help us Lord to stand firm, rooted in You and your Word.
Help us put on the belt of truth around our waist to believe and live in your truth alone and not the evil lies that surround us.
Help us put on the breastplate of righteousness so we can walk in your ways of goodness, humility, grace and love drawing others to want to know you, Lord.
Help us be fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace and live according to your will within each moment knowing we have been empowered by you to be peacemakers in all situations.
Help us take up the shield of faith trusting your plan for our lives, never doubting You and Your promises regardless of our circumstances.
Help us put on the helmet of salvation fully believing and understanding that Jesus was sent to live on earth, to die on a Roman cross to save us and was resurrected by Your power, Lord. Thank you for saving us and offering the gift of salvation to the whole world.
Help us take up the sword of the Spirit, Your Word so we can better know You and obey You. Give us the wisdom and discernment as we read Your Word and share Your love with all who you place within our paths so they too can better know You.
Help us be in constant communication with you throughout our days, Lord. Keep us alert and aware that You are fully in control fighting the battles we can see and fighting the battles that we know nothing about.
Thank you for always being with us, loving us even when we fail and guiding us into a closer relationship with You, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
God is our strength and refuge, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46.1