I Should Have Dressed In The Armor of God

I Made Some Mistakes

I made some major mistakes this week. I knew that I was making them, but kept on. Today I read the chapter called , ”Face The What ifs, Even If You’re Afraid.” Mistake #1 Read from God’s word everyday, not just the weekend when it is easier to make time. Maybe if I had made the time each morning, I would have avoided more mistakes

What Is Fear

Fear is often defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous. But when I look at my mistakes this week, I see that they were the result of fear. Not because I had a dangerous threat. In fact, when I look back at it, there was no outcome to have feared. Regardless, fear is the emotion I was experiencing.

I was afraid of failure. I was afraid of looking stupid. I was afraid of being a disappointment. I was afraid to be out of my comfort zone. I was afraid of learning something new. I was afraid to admit a lack of knowledge. I was afraid of hard work.

My Reactions Were Fueled By Fear

Now for the power of reflection when I spend time with God. So often we are called to do something, but many times the ”something” is merely a tool to have us learn something different entirely.

Although my ”somethings” involved taxes, W2s, 1099s, profit and loss statements, certified payroll and prevailing wage, these are not the ”somethings” that matter in the big picture. What God was really calling me to do was to lean on him, pause in each moment to feel His presence, to have faith that God will provide me with what I need, to maintain self control, to find contentment in all circumstances, and to do it all to please Him.

Ther lies the long list of mistakes there after. Not only did I make mistakes in the “somethings” at work, but I also failed in my Jesus following somethings. I cursed, I cried with frustration, I quit, and I doubted everything. I see some areas where I have improved in my reactions to others, but I rarely extend the same grace to myself.

Had I read today’s reading throughout the week, I would have been dressed in the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Sheila Walsh shared the following verses

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of Fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Matthew 17:20 Jesus told them, ”I tell you the truth, if you have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain ’move from here to there’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Matthew 19:26 Humanly speaking it is impossible, but with God everything is possible.

There is a very good chance that my outcomes and reactions would have been different had I been reminded of these truths daily.

And on a side note, had my circumstances and season of life been different, I think the message from today’s reading might have been different as well. That’s how God works.

Prayer

Good morning, God. I come to you this morning with a heavy heart. I made mistakes. I went about my week in the flesh and of this world. I let my daily tasks rule over me and I allowed Satan to break into my heart. I see where I need to improve and I pray for your forgiveness, patience, and grace. I want to focus on what YOU are asking of me. It is not enough just to invite you into my day, but I need to submerge myself into your word to arm myself with your truths. Lord, help me prioritize and make time. Thank you, Lord, for your unconditional love. In Jesus name, Amen.