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Day 4

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”

—Eph 6:13–18 KJV).

Letting go of pain, past offenses, guilt, and fear frees us to pursue God. He has an abundant life in store for us, but we will not enjoy it fully if we are held prisoner by the past or by fear. The enemy has a way of planting thoughts in our mind to keep us bound by those emotions, but God has provided a way for us to be victorious. He instructs us in his word to be clothed with the whole armor of God. This is the key to being armed and ready when unwanted thoughts try to creep in. The armor of God protects the entire body and the mind. We need faith that the word of God is true and to believe that he will do what he says he will do. We need to have accepted God’s plan for salvation and be clothed in his righteousness and truth. We need to live peaceably with those around us, avoiding strife and contention. We need to stay close to the Lord through prayer and through the reading of his word. Every part of the armor is for our defense, our protection, except the sword. The sword is an offensive weapon. God places his word in our hands and in our hearts, so that we can wage battle against the enemy. When those painful thoughts come, it is the word of God that drives back the enemy. Some examples from the scriptures are the following:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7 KJV).

“So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa 59:19 KJV).

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31 KJV).

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:37–39 KJV).

There are many other scriptures God has provided for spiritual warfare, but if we are not reading his word and hiding it in our hearts, we will not have that spiritual sword ready when the enemy attacks. Staying full of the word of God is one of the most effective ways we can overcome negative thoughts and protect our minds and our hearts from the pain, fear, and guilt of the past.

Prayer

Dear Lord, please help me to stay close to you and remain armed and ready for whatever comes my way. Help me to hide your word in my heart so that I may find comfort, peace, and strength in this powerful gift you have given me. Help me to discipline myself to know your word, so that I may draw strength from it in the moment when it is needed.