Life ebbs and flows through the good and the bad. At least if you live in my life. This blog regularly addresses topics in which we as humans can approach these moments with confidence. We can use tools to face struggles and overcome them while maintaining an inner peace. What happens when the things that hit us have their roots in the spiritual realm?
Considering such concepts can seem far fetched even if we have faith. Many religions include mystical aspects. For Christianity, it is central to what we believe. From the first story in the Bible, a spirit has existed. The Holy Spirit is present at the formation of the world. Another form of spirit was present as well, evil. Throughout the rest of Scripture we are introduced to angels and demons. In these stories it is very clear that human troubles at times come by way of evil spiritual interaction in our lives.
How do we conquer hardships when the players involved aren’t all on equal ground? Or how do we determine if it is spiritual attacks rather than life just hitting hard? These questions are answered with the same response that answers any hardship addressed. God did not leave us to fumble around until we came upon an adequate response. I have found one of the most powerful means for facing challenges, spiritual or physical, defined in Ephesians chapter 6.
In this chapter, God gives us clear examples and descriptions for how to conquer earthly trouble. It is not different because one is a living being capable of intensifying the problems or influencing our self-thoughts. Early in the Jewish tradition, God matches power against that of the most powerful earthly leader at the time. The Egyptian Pharaoh in the Late Bronze Age controlled large regions with the use of military power. He did not depend solely on the might of his armies but was himself a formidable advisory. When the struggle began God declared his own power and might. The same is still true as in the beginning centuries when the author writes Ephesians. God’s might cannot be overpowered by any part of creation. Evil exists as the result of a fallen creation.
The section of passages beginning in Ephesians 6:10, clearly states these tools are designed as a means of protection against evil. While I can argue for any of these provisions, during a life crisis brought on by demonic forces, I think there are a few that are more aptly suited. The shield of faith in vs. 16 is said to deflect evil. This idea all revolves around our relationship with Jesus. But it is in the intricacy of the relationship that we maintain in which the power comes. It is from the knowing Jesus so well that we know his character, we know his motives, we know his words. These give us power. I also believe that prayer is one of the mightiest defenses we have to use.
Prayer as it is intended is not passive. It does not just get said, it is felt in the depths of our souls. It is an action of dependence in which we extend ourselves towards God. It is the belief that God will now act on our behalf. Hear me clearly. I am not speaking about your desires. I am speaking about combatting strife in our lives. I am speaking about protection from evil.
In addition to what I spoke of in this reference, I need it to be heard that I did not speak about fulfillment of human wishes. Prayer is God’s intervention in our lives against whatever forces are causing it to go haywire. If that force is your own doing, God will reckon that as well. If your wishes contradict or do not bring honor to God or the plan designed for creation then you may find help through the difficulties, but not a specific wish.
As we face the world on a regular basis we cannot always know what is and is not spiritual warfare taking place in our lives. What we can be assured of is that it does exist. Evil is there to take pleasure in your pain, it rejoices in your defeats. We can also be assured that the God we choose to side with will stand, just like he did in the past, between our advisory and us. He will wield a power that cannot be beaten.
So, take your needs in prayer to him. Be in the Bible. But don’t stop there. Do it again and again and again. Do it until the trouble has passed. Prayer is an amazing tool. Internally it gives us hope, purpose, and direction. Externally it reflects our dependence on a God who desires to care for us and who responds to our pleas for help.
– blessings
Monica Swank 