I’ve been doing Priscilla Shirer’s Armour of God Bible Study. We are currently working on the Helmet of Salvation.

Within this section, I love what she says about making neural connections. “When we control our thought life, new neural connections and pathways are visibly and measurably formed in the brain – which affects the health and wellness of our physical bodies”. So, when we start changing the way we think, we can renew and restore “our minds from a state of unhealthiness and deterioration to a state of wholeness and strength in God.” (Shirer, Armor of God Study, pg 168).

I love that! There is so much hope in that thought. We can have control over our lives. You would think that I should’ve known this, but sadly I was never taught this growing up. It’s only been recently that I have learned about taking control of my thoughts and breaking down strongholds with God’s promises/scripture. Hopefully, I can impart this wisdom to my children so they can learn it at an earlier age than I did.

My church is currently doing the Armor of God Bible study by Priscilla Shirer for the fall. I am so loving this Study! I remember studying about the armor in church when I was younger. I thought I understood the concept. I thought, yeah, that makes sense. However, during this stage of my life while I am in the midst of a spiritual storm, the Armor of God means so much more to me.

Until recently, I don’t think I fully understood how much the enemy tries to attack us and how much of our battles are spiritual.

The verse in Ephesians 6:12 says it all:

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.

What this means to me: when my kids are acting up and not listening to me, I need to look beyond the obvious behavior challenges. How is Satan trying to disrupt our relationship? How is he trying to sow discord in our home? How do I fall right into his trap and let their behavior get to me and steal my joy and even make me angry and resentful toward my kids?

When I look through spiritual eyes, I get a different perspective on my circumstances. As a result, I know how to fight back – with the Armor of God. It gives me some measure of control and focus. Am I perfect at this? No. Honestly, I have a hard time seeing things through this lens. In my past, I remember thinking about “those” people who talked about spiritual warfare and thought they were “over the top” or “fanatical”. With that in mind, it’s hard for me to just let go and change my thinking. I worry too much about what people think – that I will appear “fanatical”, which is wrong.

I choose to believe the truth no matter what someone else thinks. That’s part of Satan’s deception. He would love it if I didn’t put on my armor and “fight”. He wants me in bondage to other’s thoughts and opinions about me. I don’t want to live like that.