So, a while back we finished week 3 of the 52 week challenge. I know I was going to come on and recap more often, but things have been really busy in the house. Prepping my own food for every meal and trying to start freezing meals for when baby comes is proving to take up a lot of my time... and energy. Baby feels to have dropped a bit, making getting up and down a task and a half, haha.
Remember week 1? No sugar? I am not struggling with this one so much anymore. I haven't gained any weight over the last three weeks (which suprised me as usually I gain about a lb a week in the last two months of pregnancy), and am eating much healthier. The weight is shifting to belly as baby grows, and their movements are stronger and more frequent. No sugar lows anymore, which is wonderful, and I do not actually crave sugary things anymore (besides dark chocolate... I did cave one day and ate a piece). I'm spending a lot more time in my kitchen however, which I'm not so sure I care for right now as I'd like to get into my workshop and build a desk extension for a crafting and sewing space in my office... but I'm happy to be making healthier foods which not only benefit me, but my whole family.
Week 2 was forgiving oneself. I am happy to report that many of the issues I was having have pretty much gone! I still have to stop myself on occasion, but realizing what my problem was was half the battle! I no longer have nightmares about this individual (yay!) and I only have 'breakdowns' when forcing myself to do farmbooks (which cause me stress no matter what I try to do it seems). My husband has noticed a difference in my emotional capacity to handle things as well, and although still exhausted and stressed (haven't been sleeping properly the last while), I'm not crying over every little thing any more. At least, not as often as I was... :)
Anyway, week 3 was to put on the armor of God each morning... from Ephesians 6. You can find the starting post on it on My Wings are Made of Faith, here.
Wow.
I have often struggled with the prospect of actually putting on the armor of God. I mean, knowing what it is is one thing, but how do you actually put on such an armor? This week, God has revealed bits and pieces of his armor to me and they've taken on new meaning.
First, I needed to remember the verses so I could think about them throughout the day. I'd memorized this passage many years ago, and I'm so thankful for that as it has helped me tremendously in remembering what the armor of God is. Then, I just prayed that God would help me put on this armor, and as I did so he daily revealed something new to me.
I know it is probably different for everyone, but this is what I've found.
The Belt of Truth - We are first told to gird the belt of truth around our waist. I just always looked at this as 'a belt of truth', but never really thought about the item or what it really was. We use belts to hold up our pants. Rather embarrassing to have the pants fall down, right? Well, I figured that God was telling me that the truth, even if it may seem embarrassing, is actually much more effective at keeping our integrety intact than not telling the truth. Seems simple enough. And really, we already know that, right? The other thing He brought to mind goes along the same lines of the things we are to think about (whatever is true, noble, kind, pure, excellent, praiseworthy... etc). The belt sits around our waist, just above our large intestine... whose main focus is to digest our food. It expells the waste while filtering out the good stuff and sending it through the intestine walls to the blood, which then feeds our bodies. I know belts don't usually associate with intestines, but I found this striking revelation. I need to do like my intestine does... whatever I'm fed I need to digest, look at what is true, and what is not, and use the truth to 'feed' my body/mind/heart while discarding the rest. That's a lot of work for a belt to do, and it probably seems like one of the least important parts of 'armor' when you look at it. However, it must have been mentioned first for a reason.
The Breastplate of Righteousness- A breastplate covers some of our most vital organs. I felt that God was telling me that I needed to remember that His righteousness covers me and protects me. I have nothing to fear. I am saved, and His righteousness covers me.
The Boots of Readiness from the Gospel of Peace- This was another item I've always struggled with. I've never really tried to understand it. However, I felt that we are in a place in our lives right now where this one really hit home. Readiness... boots of readiness. I need to be ready to follow my Lord wherever He leads, on His time, when He says. Right now, I am in a place where I dont know what we are supposed to do next, and I don't know when things are going to happen. This is a very difficult thing for me. I've been doing what I can to prepare for one thing or the other... both, actually. We don't know if we'll be moving... so I'm prepping this house for when baby comes in such a way that I'm not attached. I'm also reorganizing and working with our current items to ready them for a quick packing, if it is so needed. I felt relief when realizing what the boots of readiness really are. I will follow God, and by doing so I will feel peace. I will walk in peace, knowing that his leading is where I need to go. If I do not feel peace, I need to stop, re-evaluate, and find out if I'm actually following Him or my own agenda.
The Shield of Faith- This one stuck out as well. When you hold a shield, where do you hold it? In front of you! It does no good at 'quenching the fiery arrows of the evil one' if it's beside or behind you. So, no matter where I go, I need to make sure my Faith in God and in his leading of me is before me... or else when the darts come flying, I'll shy away.
The Helmet of Salvation- This one was simple. No matter what, I am secure in the knowledge of my salvation in Christ. I am saved, no matter how many mistakes I make, no matter what I do. He loves me, He saved me, and I need not fear.
The Sword of the Spirit- The only offensive weapon. The Word of God. I need to know his Word, and I need to dwell on it so I can strike down the evil one when he attacks me close range. Only the Word will be able to remove him. I can stand there and use all the other armor pieces to protect myself, but even the strongest of warriors with no weapon will become exhausted... and none of the armor pieces protects my back. So, I need the Word of God to be my sword so I can cut down the enemy and triumph.
I am so happy to see these pieces of armor take on meaning for me! I'm sure the meanings will change and adjust as my life does to bring new things to light as new challenges face me, but right now I am thrilled to be able to put on the armor each morning, knowing what it means for me. I may fail some days, I may not remember all the pieces, but I will try, and God will help me.
Here is Wings of Faith week 3 recap.
Week 4 is Do Not Fear. I have been having a tougher time getting started on this one... but God has been revealing my fears to me through the week. I hope to take some time to sit down and work on this one today during the kids nap time. I need to do this more than nap myself, haha.
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