The Armor I Need

I'm a tough person.

Since I was a child I've wanted to be able to "handle" anything that is thrown at me, and in a lot of cases, I can handle it, but not without help.

You know, sometimes the hand of Jesus is so subtle we turn it into pride and think we did it all by ourself, forgetting that we couldn't even lift a finger in our defense to save ourselves. With the larger problems we focus on God and His help, but what about the smaller things? The little moments of despair or anxiety, that we generally think we'll overcome "eventually"?

Lately I've been thinking a lot of the comfort of God, which is always there even when we refuse to see it, preferring to dwell in our troubles. I have also been thinking a lot about warriors in armor, meeting the enemy in battle. And the picture is this: do they only have the armor on for the part of the battle with the swords and axes, removing it while the arrows fall?

No; they leave their armor on continually while the battle rages, knowing that they need it for every weapon used against them.

It's the same with us. We are in a spiritual battle that rages unceasingly while we are on this earth. Do you think our enemy sits idly back? He doesn't. He's at work to weave doubt into our souls, planting this little trouble or that small problem, all the while whispering to our sinful pride that we can handle it on our own. We can't.

We need the armor that God has provided.

Romans 13:12 - "The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

The Armor of Light - the Light of the World?

John 8:12 - "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”"

And again,
John 9:5 - "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Let's check down the list:
The Belt of Truth - John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Breastplate of Righteousness - Romans 5:21 "so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Readiness Given by the Gospel of Peace - Jesus, in sending His disciples
Matthew 28:16-20 "Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”"
Shield of Faith - Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Psalm 115:9 "O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield."
Helmet of Salvation - Isaiah 59:16-18 "He saw that there was no man,and wondered that there was no one to intercede;then his own arm brought him salvation,and his righteousness upheld him.He put on righteousness as a breastplate,and a helmet of salvation on his head;he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay,wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;to the coastlands he will render repayment."
1 Thessalonians 5:8 "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."
Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) - Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Revelation 19:13 "He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God."

Jesus is our armor. The only armor that holds up against this present darkness. All others rust away and fail - Jesus never has, never does, and never, ever will. So, what I need to do is stop thinking I have it under control - I have about as much control as a warrior without armor facing a sky of raining arrows. Let me never forget to put on the armor that waits, ever ready, for me to accept that I need it!