Casandra Martin

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:11

Fear is scary. I know that sounds redundant, but fear has a way of worming itself into our hearts and minds and eating away at our souls. Fear has a way of slipping in and taking up residence in our thoughts and emotions. It begins to steer our actions and define our choices. Most of all, fear has the power to change how we see – our circumstances, the people around us, the resources available to us, and how we see ourselves in the mirror. Fear grabs hold and refuses to let go.

God understands the power of fear. He knows how it paralyzes us, chokes out our joy, steals our peace, and robs us of our confidence and ability to go forward. Fear is not the opposite of faith. Faith is the antidote to fear. Faith lets us listen to the voice of God even when fear is screaming in our ears. When we listen, we hear two words that will make all the difference. “Put on…”

Putting on is about more than donning something external. When God tells us to put on the armor of God, He is encouraging us to soak these characteristics deep into our souls. They become shields that guard our hearts, buffers that blunt the attacks that threaten to topple us, and defenders that protect what is most precious. When truth, righteousness, faith, and the rest infuse into the deep places of our hearts they ignite courage. Putting on Christ makes it is possible to be brave.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be brave. I don’t have to cower and let fear dictate my movement. God’s invitation to put on His armor is a step into courage. It is a chance to let faith confront my fear. It says that I choose to believe that there is a different, confident, joy-filled way to live. Being brave isn’t about never being afraid. Being brave means letting God, rather than fear, have the last word.