Not Against Flesh And Blood

Today, my heart is reminded to put on the Armor of God. As I face the struggles of every day life, it becomes overwhelming for me when I try to stand alone. But I don't have to stand and face a battle alone, God has already won it, I just have to protect myself while I wait to go to my forever home. So while thinking about it, I decided today to write about something most of you may not think of that often, but that's going on every day of your lives. Spiritual warfare.
What is it?
Basically, there are two sides. God's side, and Satan's side. Every single person is being fought over, for their eternal soul. Yep, that includes you! However, when you live for God and choose to stand on His side of the battle and not in the cross fire, then you become a target for Satan's destruction. Because you are on the side that already won the battle and because you are standing strong, Satan does not like it. He hates when your light shines bright. So what does he do? He tries to discourage you. To break you down. To destroy your faith and shatter your light.
How?
Sometimes it happens in big things... such as major negative events getting thrown at you that you have no control over but that make you depressed, upset, frustrated, or mad at God. You may want to do things on your own, which weakens you. Other times it happens in smaller less noticeable ways that build up until your life feels out of control. Once you're stressed out, Satan plants little lies all around you to bring you down.

Easy ways to recognize that you are being attacked:
Everything good you try to do ends up back firing or something major pops up and tries to stop it.
You are struggling with un-explained depression.
Even when you know in your head things are going good, you feel like everything is out to get you.
The good things in your life, that are true, right, and good, suddenly feel weird and you doubt them.
You feel alone.
You stop being involved in Church/youth/ministry.

"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:20. When you oppose the darkness or try to bring light into the darkness, it will not want to let it happen or its true evil will be exposed.

How can I fight this?
You don't have to fight it. God already has and He won. You are saved. You just have to stand now. And to stand, God gives you the protection.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to STAND your ground, and after you have done everything, to STAND. STAND firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to tall this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the world of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

Put on your Armor of God! Stand firm! Pray constantly! And KNOW that you are safe! That even when the attacks come and the arrows fly at you, God will protect you and give you the strength to stand for Him. I encourage you to pray with other believers and to pray with your families, friends, and boyfriends/girlfriends. "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" Matthew 18:20
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, once can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Stand together! Pick eachother up! Help eachother along! Be strong together! Stand for HIM!

Blessings,
Breanna