Armor of God

God's armor won't fit over ours.

When I asked Heavenly Father to help me put on the whole armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:11–17, (which includes the belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the word of God), I didn’t realize his armor would not fit over the armor I’d created to protect myself from our imperfect world.

At least, not until God began to help me peel my armor off.

First, he took away the shield of cynicism I held to defend myself against deceit and betrayal, and gave me the shield of faith, which requires trust.

Then he removed the walls that I built around my heart and softened my heart toward others that I might feel love and compassion, and wear the breastplate of righteousness.

He pushed the tiara of pride from my head and replaced it with humility, so I could accept Christ's helmet of salvation.

Next, he knelt and tugged off the heavy world-weary boots that I wore, so I might feel the lightness of hope that being shod with the gospel of peace brings to the soul.

Then, he stripped off the illusion of difference I'd built it around myself so I could gird myself instead with the truth ~ we are all equally beloved children of God.

Last of all, he showed me the damage my sharp tongue had caused, that I might cast away my verbal weapons and take up the sword of the word of God instead.

When we give the Lord access to our true selves, he changes them for the better.

And that’s today’s reason to smile!