DAY 12: OPPOSITION

Frightful imaginings of an author, just a few:

·      Losing everything on my computer

·      The current version of (whatever) disappears.

·      My website crashing.

Well guess what? My website crashed last week.

Those of you reading here on my blog probably think I’ve tapped out of the challenge – you will be pleased to know I have not. I still posted daily on my author page on Facebook at least, but seriously?

These things happen, I know that. Do you know which day I was trying to post though? Day 8. When I shared the first part my testimony with. It was still down on Day 9, which was the second half of said testimony.

I’m happy to say that it’s up and running again, with no apparent damage done. It turns out there was some big power outage somewhere that affected a server something … anyway it’s all solved and things are working again.

But I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it happened on the days I told my story.

Why not, you ask?

Because stories like mine (and yours) are a threat to our enemy Satan. Our stories bring light to the darkness, mostly because there are common threads that run through all of them: Hopelessness until Jesus. Hope with Jesus. So basically, Jesus. No matter what your salvation story is, it points to Jesus. Don’t be afraid to tell it, because someone needs to hear it.

I think Satan jumped into action when I tried to post my story for one reason – the ending. He had me in chains for so many years of my life, but Jesus set me free. Satan LOST. And he doesn’t like to lose. I guess he thought if he crashed my website it would squelch the message. But the opposite actually happened – each of those two posts has each gotten so many more views on my author page than normal, it’s crazy! And I’ve had the chance to interact with some of you around it. I’m not sure any of that would have happened if my website hadn’t crashed.

Satan LOST.

But let me tell you about what happened inside my head and heart between the time I realized the site was down, and now. First, absolute panic. I tried to email my website helper, but the email wouldn’t go through. So I’m on my own here, freaking out a little, not sure what to do next. Kind of wanting to just say forget it and go work on my puzzle.

Then I remembered something I’d learned recently about the armor of God. In Ephesians 6 Paul is talking to fellow believers, basically telling them to stand firm no matter what comes their way.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT)

Here’s what I realized: I already own the armor.

We’re told to put it on – twice – which implies that it’s already in our possession. Also, repetition is never for nothing in scripture. So what does that all mean? It means that I don’t have to go looking for the armor. I don’t have to earn it. I don’t even have to ask for it. All I have to do is pick it up and put it on, and I’m ready for battle.

These next verses describe the pieces of armor.

Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17 NLT)

Notice how many times the word “stand” shows up in this passage.

When I’m armored up, there’s no reason to be afraid because I am protected. I’m not panicked, because this is the armor of GOD after all – who can protect me any better than He can? And I don’t feel like running away because I don’t need to. And after the battle, I will be found standing firm.

(P.S. I will get those days posted on the blog soon, I promise!)