I hated to go inside and stop the fun on this beautiful fall evening. The kids were enjoying a game a street baseball and I wanted to spend time outside with them. But, every time they’d run by I noticed another welt from a mosquito bite. The mosquitos were everywhere and feasting on our arms, legs, and necks.
Much to everyone’s disappointment, I shooed the kids inside, away from all those pesky mosquitos. We shifted to other, quieter inside games, but it wasn’t what the kids really wanted to play.
How often do we do the same in life? We step out doing the thing we love to do, but get stung by criticism or worry. We begin to fear the bites and doubt that we should even be out in this arena. Shouldn’t we be holed up somewhere safer, leading quieter and less risky lives?
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What’s the cost of missing your calling and your greatest passion?
The reality is these mosquito bites are really just a nuisance. Sure they itch and and leave us with red marks for a while, but do they hurt enough to miss out on the things we love? Are we willing to set aside our passions because we fear the sting of a few rejections and criticisms?
Face your fears and follow God's calling for your life Click To TweetIn truth, we didn’t have to go inside. I could have sprayed us down with bug spray to repel the mosquitos, except I don’t really like the way bug spray smells or feels on my skin. We could have put on long sleeves and long pants, but it was really too warm for that and we would have been uncomfortable.
Do we feel the same way about clothing ourselves in God’s promises before we step out to follow His lead? Do His promises feel a little uncomfortable and unfamiliar? Do we resist the coverage of His armor because it might feel bulky and cause us to more carefully consider our movements and actions? Are we afraid we’ll stand out, easily identified by the unique scent of our faith?
Will you be ruled by pesky mosquitos or don the armor of God?
Let’s stop hiding in the safety of our homes. Let’s stop fearing the peskiness of our critics. Let’s stop shunning the protection of God’s armor and boldly step out in faith. Follow your passion, even through the stings of doubt, worry, and criticism. Go forth and pursue the path God has called you to, clothed in the full protection of His promises.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrow of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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. (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)
Just think, if we were to clothe ourselves like this, with the full armor of god, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, I don’t think we’d be deterred by a few pesky mosquitos. We’d be fully grounded in the mission God has for our life and fully ready to live it out. Those nagging questions, criticisms, worries, and doubts would roll right off and we’d be able to keep standing firm.
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Sheila Kimball says
Purposing to be strong along with you so as to fulfill my calling to the glory of God. Thanks for the encouragement! #RaRaLinkup
helloredds says
What a good word, Kathryn!
We do let those pesky mosquitos scare us off, don’t we! Love the analogy!
Hope you have s blessed day?
Melanie
rjbritton says
Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the word of God. Wow, we really are equipped well, but how often we forget. Thanks for the reminder, Kathryn.
Sarah Travis says
Ooooo I love the analogy of the extra clothing or bug spray {which I also hate!} being uncomfortable when so often what we are called to do IS uncomfortable but we need to suit up and get marching in God’s army! Thank you for this encouragement today! #CoffeeForYourHeart 🙂
Valerie Sisco at Grace with Silk says
Kathryn,
This post is so true! You could have followed other options but your choice showed your something your heart needed to hear — and share with us too! I love this — “we are clothed in the protection of his promises” – -what a beautiful thought! xo
Susan B Mead says
Don’t go to work “necked” as my friend said – and we all fell out with WHAT in the world are you talking about? The Full Armor of God. Don it – daily. Amen!
This is beautifully written Kathryn. Hugs, Susan
Kathryn says
Ha! Yes! We need to get on ALL our clothes before facing the world. Was laughing yesterday with my little boy over a similarly titled book we saw at the library -“we don’t go to school naked”. Different message – but wouldn’t it be great if our kids could also learn to dress in God’s armor when they go to school.
Horace Williams Jr says
What a fantastic analogy! I just love reading about the Armor of God! It is amazing how God reveals himself to us in the smallest of circumstances. Thank you for sharing this wonderful reminder that God’s protection is here for us as believers we just need to “put Him on” everyday!
Joy Lenton says
Such an inspiring word, Kathryn! I found so much solace in this:”Follow your passion, even through the stings of doubt, worry, and criticism.” Yes, let’s not let ourselves become discouraged but rather draw strength from wearing God’s heavenly armour. Thank you! Blessed to be your neighbour at #coffeeforyourheart 🙂
Kathryn says
Thanks for stopping by! I love how God’s armor can protect us and build up our confidence and strength! It’s so easy to let the doubts and criticisms take us down, so I need that reminder to lean into God and let Him build me up.
carriel says
This was such an encouragement for me today! And this stuck out: “Are we willing to set aside our passions because we fear the sting of a few rejections and criticisms?” I pray for the courage to keep striving forward despite the fear of criticism! Thank you for cheering me on!
Kathryn says
Those stings can feel so painful at times, but I think we all need that constant reminder to keep pushing forward in the path God is calling us to. Glad this was an encouragement to you!