I've recently been thinking about soldiers. They're in the news a lot, or at least the wars they fight are.
Soldiers go through grueling, intensive training before they're sent to the battle field. They're challenged and required to do the impossible. While training they live with deprivation, discomfort and pain. It's not fun. It's hard work. And it's necessary, for one day they will face the enemy.
If our commanders went easy on the men and women we call on to defend our country where would we be? Where would the soldiers be? They'd be in harms way . . . unprepared. It would be foolish and unjust to send our fighting men and women into battle without proper training. They know it. While they train you won't hear them complain (well not much anyway) because they understand tough conditioning is necessary to their survival and to victory.
Once on the battlefield brave men and women perform feats that take great discipline, stamina, strength and courage. They will be called on to do things they may have considered impossible. And yet, they succeed because they've been properly prepared; they're ready.
Have you ever considered yourself a soldier? We are, you know. We don't fight against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. But we do fight. God has called us into battle and like a drill sergeant he readies us.
Ephesians 6:11-17 tells us how to fight and what armor we must wear if we're to succeed. We are to gird our waists with truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, shod our feet with the gospel of peace, and take on the shield of faith. We must wear the helmet of salvation and carry the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
God prepares us by taking us through our own "boot camp". Life is a good training ground. We'll be hit with the hard stuff. We won't be comfortable. We'll be challenged to be faithful and courageous. God is wise and just. He knows what we need if we're to be victorious.
I'm thinking that the next time we face a test (training) we need to be thankful. Without proper training one day we'll step onto the battlefield unprepared. So, give thanks for the hard stuff. God is building our faith, our knowledge and our courage so we'll be ready. For the battles are coming.
Grace and peace to you from God.
Bonnie
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Nice way to look at trials and temptations. I remember being taught as a kid that God was training me.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing about it is the training never stops. I've always got more to learn or relearn.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Bonnie
You are so right. I was dedicated as a child into the Salvation Army and grew up as a soldier under the blood and fire flag of Jesus....a strong faith and a knowledge of the warfare....
ReplyDeleteWow Crystal, what a heritage!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a series many years ago, "The Sowers Trilogy" and it was about spiritual warfare and recognizing the enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion ready to devour us. If we ignore him we're done for. Sadly millions of people died because they didn't see him and stand up soon enough.
I pray Christians are aware and ready to fight. The enemy continues to stalk us.
Blessings to you,
Bonnie