"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." ~Ephesians 6:12This passage has been brought to my mind several times a day for about a week now. Over and over, the Lord has reminded me that when there's a conflict or disagreement, it's not a "me vs. them" scenario. It's an "us vs. the enemy of our souls, who is out to destroy the children of God" scenario.
When I have a disagreement with someone, remembering this verse resets my paradigm, robs emotion of its power, and sets me in alignment again with Jesus' purposes and desires: to see His children united in love, which love is God, is Him. I still have a long way to go in practicing remembering this every single time (especially at home, where old habits are dying hard, hard deaths), but this treasure of knowledge is one I cherish, because when I do remember it, it changes EVERYTHING.
(I love, too, that the address is 6:12, which symbolizes to me the true opposition: the enemy's imperfection setting itself against the authority and government of God.)
Father God, thank You so much for speaking into my heart this week and teaching me this verse. And thank you that the address holds meaning for me, so I can remember it easily! Thank You for how You guide me, teach me, and even offer tests for me in order to learn . . . tests that are instructive, constructive, and NOT destructive. Thank You for showing me the false dichotomies of the enemy, so I can step back into the true choice that lies before me, and for the way You show me where You long for me to tread. Lord Jesus, fill me with Your presence, teach me more of Your ways, and show me more of Who you Are, of Your glory. Teach me to receive Your presence and comfort continually, and not shut You out because I confine Your ability to comfort within my own expectations. Holy Spirit, come and fill me, fill my home, fill my family, fill my life, touch others through me in every way you can, and keep on revealing God more and more to me. God, I praise You, for You are good! I thank You, for You are generous! And I love You, because You first loved me and still do . . . when I am able to offer You nothing that could ever merit what You so freely give. In Jesus' glorious name, amen!!!
