...CHOOSING MY BATTLE
I am finding it very challenging to watch the news nowadays. I am so sorry for the lives that have been lost, the lives that have been stolen, and the killing of innocents in order to achieve control. Every terrorist attack, every riot, and each murder is forcing me to face the fact that we do not live in a world of peace. It is simply not true that if we just let everything be then all will be happy. From sex trafficking to domestic violence to poverty to oppression to civil unrest: people are in terrible trouble all over our world; even in our own neighborhoods.
I cried out to the Lord that I didn’t know how I could pray for everyone and everything every day when each day brings a fresh supply of new troubles. I felt in my spirit that He told me that it wasn’t my burden to try to carry everything (not that I could!). Then what should we do when we see or hear of those who are in turmoil?
EPHESIANS 6:10-18 (The Message)
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Dear Lord, only by Your grace can I hope to follow Your Word. But I know You wouldn’t tell us to do something if it couldn’t be done. Please give me the courage to push through anything that would make me hesitate, stumble, or forget to follow the above. In Jesus name, amen.
Written by Mary M. Wilkins
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