Are You Fully Clothed?
By Brandy Grillo
The alarm goes off in the morning, and it's time to get up, get ready, and get dressed. If there were a checklist, it would go a little like this…
Brush teeth ✔️
floss ✔️
deodorant ✔️
shirt ✔️
pants ✔️
shoes ✔️
pray ✔️
keys ✔️
out the door ✔️
Yours is probably a similar basic routine. It's our needs being met in the first part of the new day we have awoken to. Our morning routines set the mood for the rest of you and your day ahead. We all know about being late for work or an appointment due to not waking up on time or simply losing track of time. We can relate to an unrestful night. When that alarm goes off, and you hit that snooze button too many times, and maybe already cursing the day before you begin anything. Let me tell you, those are only two examples of how to wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
I also know that we must go into that closet every day and determine what to wear. We all know those days and moments when we have an entire closet of clothes and say, 'I have nothing to wear !" We spend more time than necessary looking through and finding what we already know we have. It's like a lost and found department within our own home with a CEO with our name attached. Not the type of CEO I want to be, that is for sure. It does not matter if you are plain Jane or love to change it up with various things. Our appearance and attitudes count for each and every one of us. It is the first thing people will see. A good first impression can do wonders.
Now that we have the basics of our morning routines, something still needs to be added in many of our “get-the-day-started! It’s going to be a great day.” Nothing can stop me but my attitude. We can’t ignore the fact that we must also be dressed spiritually. We must put on that armor- that of a Roman Soldier as described in the Bible by Paul the Apostle.
God has really placed this on my heart in this season of my life; I'm a little more seasoned than three years ago when this relationship started. It's becoming more clear God wants to see his children win.
Here’s a little insight into my season. I'm back in school at age 37 for nursing (only God); I'm working at a nonprofit where chaos and turmoil occur. The future is unknown due to the two companies splitting up after 30 years of partnership; my youngest son has ADHD. I'm learning how to parent better while we are in fourth grade, and school has been a rollercoaster ride every week, with some real highs and some real lows; I'm dreaming of a missionary trip, opening a nonprofit, and a few other things, I'm creating my book, finally! This is the year I say, “Last but not least, I’m building up my spiritual life like never before.” And without protection, I can lose the battle before I know what hit me if I'm not careful, grounded, and not on guard.
"Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. "
1 Corinthians 16:13
Let's be honest. Without the proper attire and strategy, we might as well throw up the white flag. Surrender. Give up. Lose out on the wins God has for each one of us. I don't know about you, but the God I serve commands me to be strong and brave, to fear not, and to stand firm in my faith. God expects us to use the armor he gives his children freely to help us get through life. The attacks are actual, y'all, and we need to start getting honest about our defense against the attacks.
I know the whole armor cannot sound so pretty with heels or comfortable with sneakers, but this armor is not for any of what is seen to the naked eye. This armor is one of a kind, holy, and just. It is the same armor that God commands us to put on each and every day, regardless of our emotions or circumstances. Remember, the people we encounter daily, from loved ones to strangers and all the in-between, are not the real cause of our problems, frustrations, and pain.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”
How does God explain this armor he freely provides us? Let's look further in Ephesians as Paul begins to describe this armor we should be putting on 365, 7 days a week, because remember y'all, the devil takes no vacations; he is patient; he studies our weaknesses; he is an opportunist as well as persistent. This is not a game. It's the real thing, and if we go out naked without armor, best believe we will get hurt.
Ladies, I will explain how we should fight our battles!
I am a reader and have come to enjoy more crime scene stories, criminal minds, and drama types of books. One of my favorite authors is James Patterson. Since beginning my relationship with GOD, I have read more about self-development books, mental health books, and teachings from a variety of Christian writers. There is one book in particular that, after watching the movie, The War Room, I ordered the book by Priscilla Shirer, who happens to be the leading actress in the movie. It has been more than a book to me. It has revealed many areas in my personal life and how I can be prepared and be more aware of the devil's schemes and tactics. I have read the book more than once. The book hasn't hit the shelf since buying in Oct 2019, the same month I walked back into the doors of Crossover Church. In chapter 2, "Your Focus: Fighting the Real Enemy,” she explains exactly what Paul spoke about to us in Ephesians. She describes, in detail, piece by piece, the armor of GOD. I have taken some snippets from her chapter because what better way than to put your FOCUS on the real enemy and "Gird up your loins with truth" (Ephesians 6:14).
As we get dressed, I envision each part as if I were putting it on like a soldier in an army of angels with God as the commander. First, Paul talks about the belt of truth- this will go around our waist; he mentions righteousness for your chest, shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.
"TRUTH is God's standard- the unchanging, objective benchmark of the Bible by which we govern and align our lives." (Fervent Woman)
The soldiers would take the belt and fasten it around their waists to hold all the excess fabric to their bodies, which meant their legs would be free, ready to fight, and prepared for action.
In the morning, when getting dressed, it's crucial to put on the belt of truth because many standards are rising up in the world today; many doctrines, religions, beliefs, philosophies, and theories, and we need to be standing firm in our faith, and ready take action when the enemy comes our way or when God calls on us.
"Breastplate of Righteousness- means right living - the process by which we apply this truth to our lives and, by His Spirit, produce conduct honoring and pleasing to God." (Fervent Woman )
A typical Roman soldier would use this breastplate to protect vital organs, mainly the heart; if the belt were loosened, the breastplate would fall right off. Our hearts can be filled with selfish desires, deception, foolishness, and evil, leading to the wrong way of living. As you see, this is the way to guard your heart through God's protection. We also need a breastplate in the morning, along with our bras! This will not be uncomfortable, and it's free to fit you better than any Victoria's Secret. It's God's gift.
"Shoes of peace - GOD's peace is the deep, inner, eternal stability the believer possesses through a relationship with Jesus; a sense of balance not subject to external circumstances. A way we can live harmoniously with others.” (Fervent Woman ) Roman soldiers wore sandals to protect their feet and move quickly during battle. We don't want to stay in our battles for a while. We want them quick and gone. We gotta be able to move thru the battle and not get stuck. The shoes can also play a role in sharing the Gospel and the Good News. It can be a witness to our peace when our circumstances say otherwise.
In the morning, walk right into that protection of peace and trust in God. He has the best shoe line on the market!
"Shield of Faith -the application of what one believes- the process of putting feet to our beliefs and living in light of it. (Fervent Woman) " Roman soldiers in battle would cover themselves by forming a complete shell to cover all sides; this would help them break city walls or not be harmed by the flying arrows. Our faith guards us during our own trials and battles we face. When we have doubt, fear, anxiety, and worry, we can use the shield of faith and God's surrounding protection to face anything that comes our way.
In the morning, we must include the shield because those flying arrows by day, even the night, that the enemy sends that are meant to kill, steal and destroy us won't stand a chance; no weapon formed against me shall prosper. We can hold up our shield of faith and allow God to protect us.
"Helmet of Salvation is both our external security with Christ, as well as the full inheritance we've been given because of our relationship with Him. It includes our blessings, status, and identity." (Fervent Woman)
Roman soldiers wore helmets to protect the head. In our battles, mental health is essential. Our minds are filled with at least 60,000 thoughts in one day; a lot of information goes in and out. Our identities are significant to God, and that is one area the enemy doesn't want you to know. In the morning, we must put on our helmets to protect our minds so that we can be renewed by God's Word. Our minds are precious because what a man thinketh so is he.
"Sword of the Spirt- the word of God is His present, relevant, personal Word to us today. The Bible may be an old book, but God's spirit makes it fresh, new and alive for us" (Fervent Woman ) Words are powerful; as we all know, we can lift someone up or tear someone down. We can speak life or death into a situation. God's Word is his love letter to us to show us, teach us, guide us, develop us, and have a heart of Jesus which is where unconditional love resides. In the morning, we need the sword of the Spirit daily as we live in this fallen world. We need these powerful scriptures to get through our flesh, cut through bone and marrow to pierce our spirits so that we may live according to the best words spoken by our creator, our God.
God has a plan for our lives that includes his armor which plays a major role in how we follow his dream. No kingdom goes out into battle with no armor, weapons, or strategy to defend its people and save its land. That would just be ridiculous and unheard of.
Jesus didn't come to save us from the gates of hell, but he came to show us how to shake the gates of hell!
I hope this blog stirs up your faith, makes your morning routine more equipped, and brings courage to your attitude, bravery to your heart, and a sound mind. Through the mighty name of Jesus, I pray that we, as followers, will put on the armor of God and will not allow the devil to wreak havoc in our homes, our hearts, or any given day.
We got work to do, y'all. There's a battle with our name on it.
"Be prepared. You are up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued so that you will still be on your feet when it is all over but the shouting. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than just words. Learn how to apply them. You will need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out " Ephesians 6:13
