I didn’t see it coming. I thought we were dealing with other, on-going issues. But as hours passed and the distance between my husband and me grew and the feelings turned icy, and directed against each other, I suddenly saw THIS in a different light.
Certain subtle strategic, spirit-placed clues helped me to see the attack for what it was. At coffee yesterday, my friend Kris mentioned trying to praise God’s attributes alphabetically in the car en route to the gym, and un-God-like characteristics kept breaking into her thoughts. Instead of qualities like Dependable or Daily provider, traits like dour and doubtful came to mind. She then commented, “I know where THOSE thoughts are from, not me, but Satan himself!”
That idea lodged in the outskirts of my mind. Then I was reading Ann Voskamp’s blog about 4 action steps to cement a marriage. (This – after a silent ride home in the car from our small group) All of a sudden, in the middle of a mini pity party, I pictured Mike and me as 2 jigsaw puzzle pieces, jaggedly pulled apart. We no longer were one complete picture. Our sinful brokenness was SO tangible for our emotional energy was directed at making each other the enemy.
It was then that I began to see what was happening. This was a spiritual skirmish that the Sovereign Controller, i.e. God was allowing. All military encounters, whether actual or preparatory, can be used by wise leaders to strengthen soldiers. “Let’s get our feet dirty, boys. Brandish those weapons. Jab at the enemy! Use your tactics. Don’t just stand there, fight back!”
Each attack makes soldiers wiser and stronger. Crawling out of the opposite trenches and meeting in what just a few hours ago had been No Man’s Land, I hope that Mike and I will stay alert. We are in a faith battle in this ‘for keeps’ spiritual war. For our enemy is prowling around, determined to weaken us and make us ineffective as Christians.
As Paul warned the Ephesians and now us in Chapter 6:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish 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 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 Lord’s people.
And why is the enemy attacking my husband and me? Only because we have stepped out and publically talked about a Journey of Faith. We are leaving ‘secure’ jobs and a predictable life and income and support structure to go off to the hills and build a new life. We have announced that we are walking toward this new life by faith in God and the promises in His Word and NOT by sight. It’s risky and tempting to Satan.
It ‘so happens’ that Mike and I are reading in Job, this start of the New Year, as part of a chronological Bible reading plan. We, the readers, know that Satan is attacking Job with God’s permission. Today I see this ‘coïncidence’ as part of our spiritual fore-warning. Thank you, Holy Spirit!
Shields up! Helmets on! Jesus’ righteous breastplate buckled tight. Peace-laced sandals gripping our feet as we move forward! God’s Word-sharpened sword at the ready! Tightening ranks with my beloved husband. We have each other’s backs.
Reflections on God's Word 
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