Join Me for Tea on Thursday

Summertime breezes and there’s that old familiar feeling in the air — allergy season. Anyone relate?

A quick dive consultation with trusted resource, Merriam-Webster, provides the following definition: exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction (as by sneezing, difficult breathing, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual. In everyday language, an aversion or bad reaction to something you just came in contact with.

If you’re like me, you know what yours are and you’re ready. You know the time of year, the conditions that prevail (hopefully ahead of time), the precautions to take and what your home remedies will be — they’re all fully stocked in your cabinet. A complete arsenal of OTC (over-the-counter) and homeopathic not-your-everyday-routine routine.

What if we prepped for everyday personal spiritual battles in the same fashion, that we do for our impending seasonal battles? How would it look to have that fully loaded and battle ready mindset, available at our fingertips and set to launch on the enemy of our souls?

From this view, it would be heaven sent. Funny thing is, it was.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

Belt of Truth. Breastplate of Righteousness. Shoes for your feet to deliver Peace. Shield of Faith. Helmet of Salvation. Sword of the Spirit.

There’s quite a bit packed in those verses. And I’ll leave you to comb through each one individually. But at quick glance it would appear to be a suiting up for battle — this putting on of Armor. A wardrobe of complete protective gear to assure victory in warfare.

And like getting seasonal ready to ward off the evils of pollen, dust, hay fever, mold and such, wouldn’t it be more worthwhile to strengthen our spiritual muscles to do battle against the attacks of mass self-destruction, soul threatening decisions, relational breakdowns, family rivalry, to name just a few?

As we put on each piece of our Armor, from head to toe, GOD promises He is with us in and through the battle, from start to finish. But we have to learn how to use each piece before we can adequately step into that fighting arena.

Let me speak a moment of truth into our tiny space here between me and you, Friend. We cannot go from day to day thinking that we’ll be ready for an attack if we don’t know how to use the tools and gear made available to us. Are you prepared?

Do you have quick (and I mean really quick) go-to Bible verses on the frontal part of your brain ready to download in a nano-second the moment you recognize an attack has just landed? Let’s be real here … remember the last bad experience when you thought to yourself, “I didn’t see that coming and I wish I had responded differently?” That’s what I’m talking about.

Now is the time you can make next time better than last time. Because just around that next corner is your next battle.

LINDA R. JOHNSON

Need suggestions on where to begin?

I’m confident that you will find a reliable resource (if not from one of these mentioned) that is suitable for your lifestyle. Life doesn’t have to be more complicated than it already is. The enemy would like you to think you don’t have time or energy to even get started. So what do you say to that strategy?

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

Thank you for stopping in to have a sip of iced tea on this very warm day, Friend. Now, go get in training … there’s some Armor to be worn.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary