A devotion by Nichole Tamburstuen, Statewide Director for Arms of Love Foster Care & Program Administrator – Central Region
In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. – Ephesians 6:16
Paul gives us an amazing analogy of the shield of faith in this scripture. It is to activate faith, it’s where we walk forward into what we know God will do and trust God to do. It’s what we hope, and know to be truth without seeing it. (Hebrews 11:1)
Throughout scripture, Gods shows us that when giving a blessing, he first asks for us to participate in an action to which then he gives the blessing. There are times our struggle either within ourselves or our situation, can keep us from taking up this shield of faith that Paul speaks about. It’s the inner struggle, often we are not even aware of its deceptions. Careful not to be so trapped in the battle of struggles like insecurity, doubt, fear, guilt… things that the evil one sends our way as “flaming arrows” to distract us from that act of faith, living out our calling. Create habits that condition your heart to look at things above, fix your focus on a capable magnificent God and walk in the truth of that God.
A few weekends ago we were on our way to what felt like the 10th soccer game of the weekend. My husband was telling the girls to close their eyes, picture stopping the ball, shooting the ball, picture your moves to help you actualize your victory -plan out what moves you’re going to make and how it feels to complete your winning play. This is a great way we as Christians can prepare to see ourselves enacting our faith. We get the privilege of when stepping out in obedience, partnering with God, to experience His earthly blessings. Visualize yourself victorious fighting your battles of doubt, fear, shame or whatever it may be… stepping into it as if the win has already happened, knowing our God is “faith-full” and this is why you can live a faith filled life.
For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8