Motivation Monday: Protecting Your Peace with the Armor of God

Friday night I went to the Young Adult “Real Talk” Service with my pastor at church. I honestly look forward to these events because I learn so much in a more intimate setting. Many people look at me weird when I tell them I’m going to church on a Friday night instead of a party or bar. The event lasts for about 2hrs and we always try to get an extra 15minutes out of the pastor so  we can stay. Yes there are some 20 something year olds and 30 year olds who would rather be in the house of the Lord than engaging in ratchet behavior.

Anyway we touched on a number of different topics, such as critical thinking, the installation of the new pope, balance in life, time management and a lot more. The one thing that has been on my mind an my heart is when Pastor Bernard spoke about protecting your peace.

Peace is defined as a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations; maintaining order; untroubled, tranquil, content;

Pastor Bernard said “Peace is the central organizing factor of a successful person’s life.” When you protect your peace, you protect your peace of mind, time, money, relationships, and essentially experiences.

Who wants to live a life of chaos? Chaos causes stress and we know the effects that stress can have on one’s mind, body, and spirit. In order to protect our peace we have to become critical thinkers. We have to use logic and reason over emotion when it comes to making some decisions. When our peace is disrupted it throws our entire life off balance. Balance is what is needed to maintain a healthy life style.

One thing that really hit home for me was when Pastor Bernard stated that our greatest defense is our mind. Our mind is a garden and whatever grows in it, is our fault. Think about what consumes your thoughts on a daily basis. What does your garden look like? Is it one that is filled with an abundance of vegetation or is it filled with weeds?

We can’t let anyone or anything interrupt our peace and cause chaos in our lives. There are external factors that may be out of our control, but we do control how we react and handle them. We have to be wise with our choices to maintain a peace of mind.

John 16:33 states “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  How do we get or maintain this peace that Jesus has given us pray, give, love, trust in the lord, have faith, serve, be obedient, and be kind. Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit present in your life? Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

So think of your life as a battle. The devil wants to steal your peace. He wants to steal your joy. You are God’s soldier. Like soldiers we need protection so put on the Armor of God and protect your peace!

Ephesians 6:10-18 The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.