I have so many reasons to be so happy and grateful. So many. I try to fall asleep with Papa every night, listing the many reasons why I am grateful, and thanking Him.
I am so very thankful for my precious husband. Some nights I cry myself to sleep from crying tears of joy and gratitude. I know it’s mushy and silly, but I am so thankful and grateful he is mine and how God brought us back together after so many years apart. Terry takes care of me in so many different ways. He thinks of every little thing to protect me. One of the things I have grown to love and appreciate is the weight lifting belt he bought for me a couple of years ago. I was using one of his and it was just too big. It would not stay up, so I just shrugged it off, thinking I really didn’t need one, anyway. It’s not like I’m a powerlifter or anything.
But when we did leg day (squat machine for calves) and deadlift day, I noticed how much my back would hurt. Terry ordered a belt that’s “Fun Size,” (what we call me; I’m not a midget, I’m fun size) and it fits, great! It’s still a little big, but I can double over and make it fit nice, tight and snug to protect my back.
So the other day when we were working out, I told Terry how much I appreciated his thoughtfulness in ordering this belt for me a few years ago. My back never hurts anymore from our workouts. Sure, it’s sore sometimes, but it does not hurt.
When I wear this belt, I am reminded of the belt of truth, buckled around my waist. It serves as a beautiful (pink) reminder of what I need to do to protect myself from getting hurt during my workouts, yes. But when the enemy comes swinging and tries to attack me, I need to remember the truth. The truth is always found in God’s word. The truth is always found in Jesus.
“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” - Ephesians 6:14 (NLT)
The enemy tried so hard to destroy Terry and me. But we were fortunate enough to recognize his sorry attacks for what they were … sorry attempts to attack us. We did not fall for it. We armed ourselves with prayer, and began praying every hour, on the hour, when we saw people trying to harm us. I can look back now and say with sincerity, I am glad we went through what we did with the destruction to our house from Hurricane Irma, and then dealing with the thief who stole our credit cards and the people who did not pay us what they owe us. As awful as all of those things and people were, Terry’s and my marriage weathered the storms, and we are so much stronger having gone through them, together. Would I like to repeat any of them? No. Are we finished with all of the stuff? No.
But I am still so thankful we went through it all, because it taught me to keep the belt of truth and the armor of God’s righteousness on me, every single day.
I am certain you are battling your own storms right now, and let me tell you something. The enemy loves it. The enemy gets downright giddy when Jesus lovers go through turmoil. But you tighten that belt of truth around yourself and tell the enemy to get lost. Don’t let him steal even a moment of your peace with his lies. Fear is a liar. Let me repeat myself: fear is a liar. One more time for good measure: fear is a liar.
Jesus is truth. Tighten that belt of truth around yourself today and lift yourself up with His love! (See what I did there? “Lift” yourself and I’m talking about my weightlifting belt? Goodness gracious. I crack myself up!)