Keep Calm, Be Strong, Armor On
Keep calm. There is a trending meme on social media, keep calm and carry on! This is a popular quote to have persistence in the face of challenge and is now known as an expression of resilience. While we endure many uncertainties we are facing around the globe, within our communities, and families; there remains a posture we must be mindful to sustain. How can I be strong in the Lord and continue to grow spiritually a midst the demands and expectations of the present day? On a daily basis we will always have task oriented decisions to make. We must be well balanced and meet all the needs afore mentioned. I propose; no I admonish that it is essential to watch and pray without ceasing (Ephesians 6:18).
Be strong. The Apostle Paul encourages us in the book of Ephesians to be strong in the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-11). He persists that in order to do so we must pray in and with the Spirit of God (Ephesians 6:18). He further goes on to demystify the idea that the war is earthly from the cares of this life. The fact that we wrestle not against flesh and blood purports that the real enemy of our soul is not the physical and tangle circumstances and situations we encounter (Ephesians 6:12). The main objective of principalities is to oppose the people of God and prevent them from being strong in the Lord.
Armor on. Powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness don’t care what you do as long as you do not pray. Being hindered in any kind of activity that will cause you to grow stronger in the Lord means one is under the influence of something abnormal. The influence of the Holy Spirit is normal pertaining to all activities, also known as temperance. Thus, the battle or challenge is spiritual not natural. Therefore, the battle must be fought in the spiritual realm with spiritual armor which is prayer. Finally my brethren, pray every day that you may be strong in the Lord equipped to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). From this perspective, we shall surely be able to navigate and stand fast amid tribulations on the offense rather than the defense.