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<\/a>However, this morning I think I may a cold on top of my seasonal allergies! Oh this aggravates me. I have too many things to do! I\u2019m heading to my office this morning to finally paint and hang curtains. If I have to stop every three minutes to wipe my nose I\u2019ll never get it done!<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We have a big weekend ahead. Two gatherings tomorrow to enjoy with my husband and then vision Sunday at our Frederick campus. These are all important events and I need to feel my best. But it doesn\u2019t look like that is going to be the case.<\/p>\n
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I simply don\u2019t have time to be sick! I have managed to stay healthy for over a year. I\u2019ve been around sick people, but have kept my hands washed and their germs off of me. But it didn\u2019t work this time.<\/p>\n
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Why? Why this time? I\u2019m not really sure, but with the start of a new job and all that goes with that and the combination of seasonal allergies, I guess the smallest germ attacked my system. It broke through all the defenses I worked so hard to build up. Defeat. Yes, this morning I feel defeated.<\/p>\n
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This cold reminds me of times when I\u2019ve allowed my spiritual defenses to drop. It\u2019s during those times that Satan knows exactly how to jump all over me and bring me down. When I\u2019m too busy to spend quality time with God. When I\u2019m so tired that I don\u2019t want to spend quality time with God. Even when I\u2019m sick, when my brain isn\u2019t up to par because of medication to spend quality time with God. That\u2019s when Satan attacks. When I am not at my best.<\/p>\n
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Unfortunately, these times are more frequent than I\u2019d like. So Satan has plenty of opportunity to attack. But surely there is something I can do to prevent it, or to help ward off his attacks. Right? Yes! Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us the perfect weapons to \u201cextinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.\u201d<\/em> (Ephesians 6:16)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n First, we are called to \u201cbe strong in the Lord and his mighty power\u201d<\/em> and to \u201cput on the full armor of God.\u201d <\/em>Without God\u2019s strength and armor, we would be defenseless against Satan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then we are to put on:<\/p>\n The Belt of Truth<\/em><\/p>\n The Breastplate of Righteousness <\/em><\/p>\n Feet Fitted with Readiness <\/em><\/p>\n The Shield of Faith<\/em><\/p>\n The Helmet of Salvation<\/em><\/p>\n The Sword of the Spirit<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n With these tools and the understanding of how to use them, we can stand firm, be alert, and pray. I am so thankful for the tools that God gives us to prepare for battle! Don\u2019t underestimate what God can do through you wearing His armor!<\/em><\/strong> So don\u2019t allow your busyness, tiredness, or illness keep you from seeking God\u2019s truths. Keep on keeping on. Stand firm. The battle belongs to God!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Donna<\/p>\n <\/p>\n