What to Wear

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There are those days that leave us feeling completely under-equipped for whatever we are dealing with at the time. I’m having a day like that…feeling lousy in my cloak of uncertainty, wrinkled at the seams and focusing on less than helpful thoughts.

Turning to my Bible, I ended up at Ephesians 6. Ah,...sweet words for a vulnerable time. The Message translation starts out “God is strong, and he wants you strong (v10).”

Ephesians 6:10-18 NRSV
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. 15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.

“When you find yourself facing an issue in your life, the purpose or reason or good thing that might come out of it being completely hidden from you – what do you do? Do you worry and fret, become preoccupied with the problem? Do you ignore it or avoid it? Do you complain about it, or do you want to run away from it? Or do you see it as a situation in which you might be able to experience the power and grace of God at work? Do you watch for the work of God that is to be done in this situation?”
~From Patches of Godlight by Jan Karon