Mulan: My Warrior Example

 

I had ZERO plans to write this morning.  ZERO.

Yesterday was a "dark" day for me.  A day of struggle.

I laid down to sleep early last evening because my body just couldn't hold me up anymore.  My Spirit was downcast, and my body was reflecting that.

I started to pray, and immediately, I heard, "Goodbye" in my Spirit.  I'm not sure if that was from God or if the devil was trying to interrupt my prayer time.  Since I was in prayer, I took it as the Holy Spirit.

I think God is trying to reach down and pull me up "outta the grave" as the Elevation Worship song goes.

Woke up at 5AM this morning, fed the cats and dog, made my first cup of coffee, went back and wrestled with the dog, and then sat down to read.  Just not feeling anything this morning.

And then I read 2 Cor. 12:9, "“My grace is enough to cover and sustain you. My power is made perfect in weakness."

[You] need to be a warrior.
Because [life] is a battle.

Don’t misunderstand; this isn’t a jab at [life]. Consider it a call to arms. Sister, I know how easy it is to forget the battle isn’t against [life]. [You], need to shift your focus on the daily faith-fight to be more and more like Christ.

Ephesians 6:16 says, 'In every battle, you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.' (TLB).

As we step onto the battlefield, let’s train ourselves to fight the true enemy. We have an adversary who seeks to get us stuck in the messiness of [life]. He understands that some of his greatest weapons are our emotions, expectations, exhaustion, and environments. The enemy knows that when we feel weak, he has a chance to gain ground in his plan to destroy our homes.

But God is the author of [life], and nothing can change that. His plan is not outdated or obsolete. He alone truly knows what it should look like and who it should point to.

So, let God’s voice script [you].

We can expect conflict and confusion. From the beginning, the enemy has sought to divide us. Our faith should surround us like armor. Lift your shield, put it at the front and center of your heart and attitude. Let faith guard you against resentment, disappointment, frustration, and impatience.

My challenge for you (and for me) is to return to God. Remember God’s plan. Put Him first in our [lives]. Allow His truth to be the one thing we cling to. Then, we can learn the art of fighting for in a way that will strengthen us and open our eyes to God in a powerful way.

Let’s begin to think like warriors, talk like warriors, and pray like warriors. Let’s arm ourselves with the unchanging truth of God’s Word. Let’s sit in the war room face-to-face with God and allow Him to equip us, strengthen us, and lead us into [a life] that reflects His goodness.

Boots on.
Faith First.

It’s time to fight the good fight. 

Wow.  Powerful words right there. I read that devotion, and it shot like an arrow straight to my heart.

Today, I am recalling my favorite Disney Princess - Mulan.  A true warrior and fighter for her family.  I love what the author says above:

Boots on.  Faith First.  Time to fight the good fight.

Today, I am shifting focus.  Putting on my big girl warrior boots and fighting the good fight.

"Goodbye." I heard you God.

It's time to think like a warrior, talk like a warrior, and PRAY like a warrior again.  It's time to channel those strong, Italian women who make up my history and heritage.

It is time to put away the disappointment in a brother that has time for others but does not reach out or have time for his sister when he knows she is struggling and emotionally cannot reach out.  It is time to put away the disappointment in a partner that after five years still cannot put you first, fight for you, and belittles the intimacies of shared prayers.

Warrior.

I am reclaiming my strong, Italian heritage and digging in.  I am claiming the title of warrior.

I am looking to my sisters in Christ who have fought deeper and harder battles than me and still keep going.

I am looking to CHRIST who says, "My power is made perfect in your weakness."

Boots on.  Faith First.  It is time to fight the good fight.

I am putting the expectations, disappointments, and heartache I have in others' actions behind me and moving forward.  I am a child of God.  I am a WARRIOR.

Eph. 6:16, "...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one."

Let's do this.