Deciding What to Wear

Deciding what to wear each day can be a bit of a challenge for me, and you never know what I might look like. I love to wear dresses, but sometimes I want to wear my comfy pants. Sometimes I dress professional; other times, my style is pretty loud and eccentric. I have days that I receive compliments, but I also have days when my daughter looks at me, shakes her head and firmly advises, “No!” If my outfit is pink, flowery, polka dotted or lacy, I will probably be sweet that day. If I’m wearing black my attitude might not be quite as pleasant. Black could mean that I’m mourning over a person or situation, but it could also mean that I need to feel brave, confident or powerful for something I’m getting ready to face. If I’ve been having a rough time and wish I could stay at home, I will probably choose clothes that are as close as I can get to pajamas. My beachy attire might mean that I’m in a great mood, but it could also mean that while my body is trapped in the real world, my mind is trying to escape to the ocean. Sometimes my clothes don’t match. If I feel like wearing my striped pants with my printed blouse or my hot pink cheetah print slippers with my lime green t-shirt and jeggings, then that is what I’m going to wear. I might wear sequins and glitter one day, classic black another and my paisley palazzo pants with a hot pink tank top the next. The way I dress generally reflects how I feel on any particular day, but there are also days that I dress the opposite of how I feel in an effort to hide or lift my mood. You just never know what to expect.

There is however, something very important that I strive to put on every single day. No matter what my mood is or how I feel, putting on my spiritual attire is a must. When I pray each the morning, I ask God to dress me in the full armor of God from Ephesians 6:10-18. It sounds something like this,

Dear Heavenly Father, please clothe me and my family in the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. Let us stand firm with the belt of truth buckled tightly around our waists to keep us aligned with your truth. Let us keep the breastplate of righteousness in place to guard our hearts from evil. Let our feet be fitted with readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. Help us live out the Gospel so that others can see the transformation you are making in our lives. May we be ready to share the Gospel with those around us. Let us take up the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. Shield us from fear and doubt. Strengthen our faith and make us like the tree in Jeremiah, planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Give us faith that moves mountains. Let us wear the helmet of salvation, remembering that our salvation comes not because of anything we do but only through Jesus. Let us not take for granted the sacrifice that Jesus made for us when He died on the cross, but just as Jesus laid down his life for us, I pray that we would lay down our lives for him. Help us to be mighty ambassadors for Christ and children who please you and bring you glory. Keep the sword of the Spirit sharp in our possession so that we can wipe out all of Satan’s lies with your truth. Fill our minds with your truth to give us wisdom and discernment. Flood our hearts with truth to give us peace. Keep your truth on the tip of our tongues, ready to bring healing to those who need it. Lead us not into temptation. Let us remember that you are always with us and that the battle belongs to you. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

When I pray this, I visualize God clothing me with that armor, and I prepare myself for whatever I will face that day. His words of truth soak into my mind and strengthen my spirit. I am reminded that we are in a spiritual battle and that I need to keep my eyes open to see what God is doing around me and so that I can also be alert when Satan tries to distract and discourage me. It reminds me that I belong to the One who has been given all power and authority in heaven and on earth and that he has provided me with all that I need to overcome the evil one. When I put on the full armor of God, I can be confident that I am secure for battle and that I am able to stand against the devil’s schemes.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV)