Armor of God

"Put on the whole armor of God.."

Ephesians 6:11

During times of depression and anxiety there may be a fight or flight moment of needing to make a decision to weather the storm, or fight it tooth and nail. Fighting depression and anxiety is a daily war for some, while others experience it on occasion. For each experience though, there is a human desire to create safety. To defend yourself from the tortures of depression and anxiety. While the intensity is uniquely different for each individual, there is no doubt that these experiences are real for the one fighting. For some it looks like crying on the bathroom floor after holding it together in front of everyone they came across. For others it is grabbing the bottle of alcohol, numbing away the pain. For others it is calling out sick day after day after day because getting out of bed is the hardest thing to do. Others fight the battle, with their mind going every direction with zero motivation to move.The body and mind has a desire to exist, in fact your body will do almost anything to maintain this safety. This fight between survival and giving up is one of the most surreal moments. A desire to exist, and not exist in this hurt. Some exist in the flesh, but are gone for moments at a time mentally and emotionally. The length of time is dependent on the individual.

You all know that the soldier takes armor into their battle. In fact few would be caught in a battle without it. So why do you go into your battles with depression and anxiety without armor? There is an armor that is without tarnish. This armor is resilient. It is the armor of God.

Belt---> Truth

Breastplate---> Righteousness

Shoes---> Peace

Shield---> Faith

Helmet---> Salvation

Sword---> Holy Spirit

Alert---> Perseverance

Depression and anxiety tell you lies. The armor of God gives you truth.

Depression and anxiety instill feelings of worthlessness. The armor of God gives you righteousness.

Depression and anxiety tell you fears. The armor of God gives you peace.

Depression and anxiety create doubts. The armor of God gives you faith.

Depression and anxiety harms you. The armor of God gives you salvation.

Depression and anxiety separate you from Him. The armor of God gives you the Holy Spirit.

Depression and anxiety blind you. The armor of God gives you perseverance.

Ephesians Six shares with you the importance of the armor of God. Verse eleven reads: "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Without the armor, one is susceptible to the darkness of lies and the separation from God. This does not mean that experiencing depression and anxiety separates you from God. But the symptoms and reactions that you may fall into could separate you from Him. He prepares you though and provides you with the tools that you need in order to overcome these battles daily. The armor of God withstands it all. You just have to be willing to take it up and hold onto it, no matter the challenges of the battle being thrown at you. And you cannot just pick and choose what you decide to pick up, without the whole armor there is an opportunity for the battle to be won by the opposing side, in this case depression and anxiety.

Depression and anxiety are real battles, they are struggles that are experienced on a spectrum. As you seek support for battling these experiences, the armor of God is one support. Just as the soldiers have armor to battle the fields that they come to, the armor of God is this resource. There are going to be some battles easily won, and others that are going to feel defeating. Hold tight to the armor, and the promise of God that He is with you and walks with you through these battles, even the ones that you feel you may have lost. Everyday that you wake up, you are wining the battle. He has you. The hardest part is letting Him.

Scripture:

Ephesians 6:10-20

Reflection:

When does it feel like you are losing the battle with depression and anxiety?

What helps you the most in those times?

How can you use the armor of God to help you during these times?

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for providing me with the tools to overcome my depression and anxiety. Even though these experiences come and go, I find hope in You. There are times that I feel like I am losing the war, and the battles become too hard to bear. But then I turn to You and there is peace. Lord help me to turn to You in these moments. Remind me that You are here for me. As these experience of depression and anxiety create lies and doubts, let me find hope in You. Let me find peace in You. Lord You are the light in my darkness. And in the darkness of depression and anxiety, a glimpse of light is refreshing. Lord I pray for these things, and for those who are in their own battles, their own wars, their own darkness, that they may find Your light through Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.