Two-Minute Thoughts on Faith: The Armor That Holds Us Back

Ever get the sneaking suspicion that the protective armor that you choose to wear every day could be the very thing that is holding you back from your breakthrough or your victory? Absolutely no judgement here. I’m in the trenches with you, still learning to let God protect me in those places and spaces. But hang with me for a minute and let me share a story with you –

It’s a familiar story. The story of David and Goliath. And here’s a king, King Saul. And this king decides that this young man, this boy, David, should be adequately protected if he is going to face such a fierce opponent as Goliath. So, he begins to take his armor – king’s armor! – and place it on David. Let me emphasize that again – king’s armor, likely made by the best craftsman in the land and meant to protect, well, a king! Surely nobody would refuse such protection going into any battle, much less one deemed this unbalanced and with this much on the line. All measures to ensure survival in this circumstance must be taken, he thought. The Israelites would not survive another blow and King Saul just knew that little David was greatly outmatched.

Then here’s the young man in the hot seat, David, trying to understand why he’s looking into the eyes of a clearly (very) worried King Saul. “Where is your faith, people?” he’s thinking. But with the widsom of a man twice his age, he reigns in his knee-jerk reaction and instead, attempts to reassure the king. “Don’t worry about a thing,” he says with utter confidence. “I’ll take care of this Philistine!” One look tells you that there’s no fear in David’s eyes. In fact, with all the confidence in the world, he gives a disgusted huff over this ridiculously heavy armor that has been placed on him and speaks four words of truth that somehow deeply resonated with my own heart –

“I can hardly move!” he exclaimed…

… and then he took the armor off.

And if you’re like, okay, Shannon … get to the point, here it is …

Sometimes we just need to do the same.

Sometimes we cover ourselves with armor in an attempt to protect our hearts and it becomes the very thing that holds us back from our victory, and our breakthrough.

Sometimes, I find myself stuck in place, weighed down and sluggishly moving forward, if moving at all, simply because of the armor that I have chosen to carry and wear that day. #beenthere

Sometimes we hold onto unforgiveness, resentment, anger, fear, pain, and even shame simply because we deeply believe that such armor will surely keep us from ever allowing that space in our hearts to be vulnerable again.

Yes, sometimes we believe that our thick skin, big walls, and heavy armor makes us absolutely impenetrable… and make no mistake, it often does. But it holds us back from some of the most beautiful victories too!

And sometimes, my friend, it is in that very space that, if we listen, we can hear Jesus gently and lovingly tapping on our hearts and saying…

It’s weighing you down, my child. It’s time to let it go and give it to me.

You cannot hold onto this armor and simultaneously be able to beautifully walk into the fullness of what I’m wanting to pour out, to pour through you.

You cannot run ahead carrying something that is so incredibly heavy.

Let me carry it for you.

You will never enter a battle that I will not be there, protecting you.

For I am with you always.

So peel it back, take it off, let it fall… and trust me.

Trust me in the vulnerable.

Trust me in the unknown.

Trust me in the battle.

Trust me in the victory.

Trust me with your heart.

Trust me with your future.

Trust me with your season.

Trust me… because I love you.

And suddenly I feel myself breathe in His faithfulness and breathe out my fear. And I drop the armor, again, as I’ve done so many times before. But each time, it seems to become a bit easier as I learn to trust Him in that space.

And maybe someday, I’ll grow to have the beautiful impenetrable faith of David, shedding my armor and running out to meet whatever I face with total confidence that the God who brought me to this season will be the same God who ALWAYS brings me through! Only this time, I will allow His hope, peace, and joy to flow fully unfiltered through a deeply changed and anchored heart that is known, held, loved, and here’s the key – always protected – by the most important armor – Him.

Thanks for hanging around for my 2-minute thoughts today! I hope you have a beautiful Tuesday!

Blessings!

Shannon