[Power to the] She-Warrior

For as long as I can remember I've had quite a bit of tomboy in me. I also had the privilege of growing up around a lot of cousins. Oh man, good times!! I spent quite a bit of time with my brother, and two guy cousins in one particular family. We devoted lots of time to playing have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-for-hours cowboys and indians. We'd spend time building our "dwelling" first, then head out to ward off the opposing bad guys. Naturally, being the only girl I was expected to be the homemaker squaw, and it always honked me off. "Noooo...I wanna come with YOU guys!" I mean, there's only so much cooking and cleaning that one can do in a small fort/tepee in one day! :) Occasionally I did stay where I was supposed to, but found ways to create my own drama by calling the boys in because I was being attacked at the homestead!! But, the majority of the time I really wanted to head out to where the action was. Oh, the innocence and simplicity of childhood imagination...you can end the battles whenever you are tired...you can master all the drama and bad guys with ease every single time....

As God girls, we are up against a vicious enemy. One who seeks to devour us and doesn't ever relent.

As a Christian, I think it's pretty cool that God enables the girls to suit-up along with the guys in the battle we face against the enemy of our souls.  That He deems us strong and valuable in the fight. That He loves us so much that He gives us every weapon necessary to WIN!

The only problem is...I forget to put the armor on...

I found myself asking God for the last few months to remind me to put it on at all times, to engrain into my heart every piece, and to teach me how to use them. I've known about them for a long, long time. I want them to become a part of every single moment of my days. This past weekend through some circumstances I encountered, I was reminded of the utmost importance of them.

Just some quick thoughts: *Ephesians 6:10-18

1) The Belt of Truth - Have you noticed the Bible mentions the need to buckle the belt? A belt really doesn't do a lot of good if our clothing is too loose and we put it through the belt loops, but leave it hanging in the front! Truth sets us free. *John 8:32 Pull up your big-girl britches and tighten a whole lotta truth around your waist!! The truth that God has already won this battle. The truth that you are LOVED and BEAUTIFUL to Him. The truth about yourself, the good AND bad. When we know our weaknesses, we can bring them to a loving Commander who can give us victory over them and redemption. The enemy is  very aware of our weak areas and will relentlessly attack where we are weakest. When we know our weaknesses and can admit them, we become quicker at counter-attacking. Doubting Thomas's need truth. :) (I'll explain more of what I've learned in my own life in this area in the next blog post.)

2) The Breastplate of Righteousness - A breastplate guards a most vital organ: the heart. God's love letter tells us above all things, to guard our heart. *Proverbs 4:23 Our hearts have the responsibility to keep our blood flowing, to give us life. "Righteousness...that gracious gift of God to men whereby all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are brought into right relationship with God. Unattainable by obedience to any law, or by any merit of man's own, or any other condition than that of faith in Christ." (Strong's Greek dictionary) When the enemy goes for your heart, tells you that you aren't worthy, do not ever forget that you have life because of Jesus' blood that flows for you!

3) Feet Fitted with Readiness from the Gospel of Peace - Protect your feet. It doesn't say to grab any shoe that you can find. Shoes two sizes too big, too narrow, too heavy, a size too small, don't work for all-day battle. Have your feet fitted. Protect where you allow your feet to go. I have spent energy fighting battles that I don't believe I was ever meant to be a part of. Battles that exhausted me uselessly. I love the words of *Isaiah 30:21: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."" I want to know the voice of peace that leads me into the path set for me, not the path set for someone else. If God is for us, and if we fight in His will, who can be against us!?! *Romans 8:31

4) The Shield of Faith - "with which you can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one." Believe. Believe God is who He says He is. Believe. Believe. Believe. And, believe some more!

..."I believe, help Thou my unbelief!"

5) Helmet of Salvation - Protect your mind. With the knowledge of salvation, the deliverance we have from the power and penalty of sin, we are overcomers.  Take every thought captive. The Lord is our salvation~ we have no reason to fear! The psalmist understood this, and penned it beautifully in *Psalm 27:1-3.

6) Sword of the Spirit - "which is the word of God." His word has become to me as desperately needed as water in a desert, food to my starving soul. Read, study, memorize. Then, do it all over again. Several years ago God taught me the importance of learning all that I can of Him when times are good. When life is not so stressful. Human tendency is to run to Him for help only when life gets difficult. YES, we learn much in the valleys. I'm not demeaning that. But, when life isn't grabbing our attention and draining our energies we can be more receptive and clear-headed. He asked me to be faithful to learn from Him in the good times so that when the hard times come I've got anchors for my soul. I've got truths hidden in my heart that will help weather the storms. I've got roots that go down deep.


Vital weapons they are. Read them. Maybe print them off in a cute font. Write them on a post-it note or a 3x5 notecard. Place them where you'll see them often. Memorize them.

In it all though, we are human. We are fragile. We get wounded. We make mistakes. We are beaten and bruised. And, we have a refuge. We have a Commander who binds up our wounds, who fights for us when we're exhausted. He is compassionate. A God who knows how we are formed, who remembers that we are dust. *Psalm 103:14.


I have always loved the words of the song from Twila Paris:


The Warrior Is A Child

Chorus:
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down.
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around.
I drop my sword and cry for just a while...'cause deep inside this armor...the warrior is a child.


Lately I've been winning battles left and right,
But even winners can get wounded in the fight.
People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years
But, they don't see inside of me, I'm hiding all the tears.

Unafraid because His armor is the best.
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest.
People say that I'm amazing, never face retreat
But, they don't see the enemies that lay me at His feet!

We need to be aware that we cannot face this enemy on our own. He is mean, ugly, and powerful. But, we've got THE power. We've got the name of Jesus.

I grew up for about 5-6 years on a culda-sac as the only girl in a neighborhood of boys. Lots of boys, let me tell ya! There was one in particular who could be a bit of a trouble-maker if he had the mind to. I don't remember the details of what he was doing to my bike, but he was simply picking on me by picking on my bike. I was not a very assertive girlie growing up, and was getting quite frustrated!! After trying to get him to STOP, he said something to the effect of, "Well, if I don't stop, what're you going to do about it?" I looked at him and blurted out, "I KNOW JUDO!!" He looked at me, got on his own bike, and pedal pedaled away. No, I didn't know judo. Yes, I lied. Yes, I was desperate to get him off my back. Yes, my brother and I still like to joke about it. Yes, I'm chuckling about it right now.

Sometimes, the only thing it feels like we have the strength to fight back with is to say His name. Jesus. I KNOW JESUS!!! But, there is infinite power in that name. The enemy, he has to flee at the sound of that name. Say it. Say it often. Whisper it. Shout it. His name wins.

Oh, what needless pain we bear; because we don't put the armor on. Whether you wake up today and dress yourself in fine linen...in a volleyball uniform...in a princess dress...in some camo to go hunting with the guys...in scrubs...in a business skirt and jacket...in a hospital gown...in a muumuu...in a little black dress...or stay in your pajamas all day...

Don't. Forget. The Armor.

Don't forget who wins.

In my favorite magazine there are advertisements for the brand Athleta. It always ends in "Power To The She". I like it. Especially when I focus on the One who gives this she her power! Go forward in the confidence that He's got your back.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." *Ephesians 6:12

Suit up!! It's a jungle war zone out there. Let's learn from the Best. "...so His OWN ARM worked salvation for him, and his OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS sustained Him. He put on righteousness as His breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in zeal as in a cloak." *Isaiah 59:15-17 I love it. I love Him.

Love to you too,

Jules