Five Ancient Methods of Self-Protection

This morning’s attitude could go either way.

I could easily carry forward some of yesterday’s emotional exhaustion and run with it to continue to let the pissy people walk through my today.

Or, I can make a decision to do two things:

1) Let the conversations from yesterday stay in the past, and 2) Wear protective armor today.

Remember the scripture about the armor of God? While I don’t normally make it a practice to quote the Big Big Book, as some folks call it, Ephesians 6:11-18 is one of my favorite passages.

I love the first line which speaks about putting on the armor of God. The metaphor gives me a choice and grants me responsibility for whether I put it on. When I do, I am shielded from the slings and arrows of the world outside of me.

Isn’t that a beautiful image?

A shield that protects my inner core–my heart and what I feel, my lungs and what I breathe, my abdomen and how I process all the stuff I take in.

These words give me the option to clothe myself in spiritual fabric so that I may release control of solo-fighting the battles I perceive. With that release, I receive strength. Another one of life’s conundrums.

I like knowing I’m protected–when I choose to be–and like so many other points in my life, all I need do is make a decision.

On this Mindful Monday

I encourage you to take this beautiful vision from Ephesians and let it work for you each day this week. I’ve broken it down into five parts, but you’re always welcome to use them in total all week. There are no rules except the ones you choose to live by!

1. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

2. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

3. Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

4. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

5. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

I’m reminded that I must be ever vigilant.

My ego–which means Edging God Out–is oh-so-patient. And while the doing-battle imagery may not be politically correct, and I’ve struggled with it in the past, it is a fact (for me) that I’m often at war with my own thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

Go forward this week in strength, my peeps. Blessings to you as you fight your good fights.

B Well & Present,
Beth

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