This is how I Fight my Battles
Have you heard the song “Surrounded” by Michael W. Smith? Man, I love it. If you haven’t, take the time to look it up and listen. It’s really powerful.
How do you fight your battles?
I was thinking about this and I know, for me, I feel the closest to God when I am in His Word daily. Scripture is the only weapon spoken of in Ephesians 6 and so knowing Scripture is absolutely key to being able to fight and not just defend.
Getting Creative
I’ve learned I have my best Bible time when I am engaging the creative side of my brain. The amount of creativity is different for every person, but I do believe that a form of journaling is helpful for everyone.
When we use both sides of our brain as we study, it’s absolutely amazing how immersed we can become in whatever we are reading. (You get a lot more sucked into a novel when you imagine the setting, what the characters look like, etc.)
Bible Journaling allows me to do this by getting an image onto the pages of my Bible to help me remember what I read and also to fully engage my whole self in the reading of God’s Word.
Maybe Armor can look unique
I’ve drawn out the armor of God before. It’s normally heavy and metal, the Old Roman Soldier type of look. I think that’s a pretty typical depiction for most people.
That version is not wrong by any means. It’s powerful. It’s safe. It feels indestructible. I love it and the feeling of strength it can bring.
But today, it hit me….. When I personally am putting on my armor in real life- it’s when I sit down with my Bible and my art supplies. I do my best battle with a paintbrush in my hand and leggings on my legs. I don’t lug out heavy armor, I pull out my favorite supplies and I begin to worship.
His Word becomes a canvas and He and I create works of art together across the page. As I read, I listen to what God is saying to my heart. I put on my breastplate of righteousness.
With each stroke of my paintbrush, I battle thoughts of insecurity.
I dive deeper into an understanding of His love, grace, and mercy.
I put on my belt of truth and find a firm place to stand. These truths become my helmet that protects me from lies that Satan wants to tell my head to believe. I’m reminded of His love for me- that He was willing to die for my salvation.
I seek Him and He finds me. Right where I am. Covered in paint, sawdust, or ink and asking Him to do battle with me. I wear my boots and try my best to spread the gospel and to bring peace to a chaotic world in whatever small ways I can.
Armed with my paintbrush as my sword and with my Bible in my hand, I am completely ready for battle. With each page, I grow closer to God and becoming the woman of faith that He is equipping me to be.
I don’t always look like a warrior on the outside, but my insides are completely covered when I am in constant relationship with Him. Reading my Bible, praying constantly, and immersing myself in Him.
So, what does your armor look like?
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 sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:13-18
Bible Journaling Details
This girl is wearing a belt of truth, an apron of righteousness, boots that are ready to bring the gospel of peace, a palette of faith, a beret of salvation, and is carrying the paintbrush of the Spirit.
This may seem a bit off, and no I don’t wear a beret, but this is how I fight my battles.
I used Neocolor ii water-soluble crayons for the color along with a water brush to make them into watercolors and a Faber-Castell Pitt Pen size S(mall).
For more information and links to purchase these supplies, check out My Top Ten Favorite Bible Journaling Supplies.
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Cynthia Y Revelle says
beautiful page and message.
Rachelle says
Thank you! I appreciate you saying so.
Michelle says
I love this so much!! I have been inspired by it and even shared it with my daughter, who is a pastor. I love the insight about how we all have our own battles and we won’t all fight them the same way! Great post!
Rachelle says
Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that it inspired you. And thank you for taking the time to let me know. ☺️❤️
Gabriella says
This is beautiful! I was looking all over for a unique way to bible journal the armor of God for myself personally vs. the typical bulky armor as well & I saw this image in google images, then saw that it was from your site & I was so excited to read what you wrote as I’ve been encouraged by the truth and messages of how you incorporate the Word into your daily life.
Rachelle says
I’m so glad to hear that it resonated with you! I appreciate you taking the time to share that with me.