Extinguish Every Arrow

 

I watching TV the other night, for me that means clicking from one station to another which really annoys my children. Sometimes I land on a channel for a few minutes to see if I want to invest time in watching it. To my kids amazement the channel does not have to be in English, even though that's the only language I understand.

On this particular day the show I landed on was in 日本人 (Japanese.)

The scene was of a group of Samurai in what appeared to be a classroom setting. They were standing in front of their desk, I think they were desk. All of a sudden you see a bunch of arrows coming over the wall of the castle randomly hitting some of the students. They all make a run for the door screaming and yelling whatever a Samurai would be yelling. 
Just as they get to the door, it opens and on the other side stood a very small elderly man who apparently was their teacher.

 He starts yelling, in Japanese, and it appeared to me he was yelling at them! They all stood silent. He then pushes his way past the men into the room with the wild arrows still flying all over the place. He makes his way to the front of the classroom and starts chanting or meditating not sure. There are arrows hitting above his head and on both sides of him but NONE of the arrows hit him. 
The camera pans back to the Samurai students who stand looking at him for a moment then one by one they go back to their desk.
The camera now pans outside to the army who is shooting the arrows. As they pull back their bows for the next assault there are so many flaming arrows the sky is almost black. 

The arrows fly over the wall into the classroom but this time they miss the non moving targets!
The Holy Spirit spoke to me at that moment and said, in English, “this is what spiritual warfare looks like."
The enemy is shooting so many arrows at us BUT if we stay focused on the teacher, Jesus, not one of them will kill us.
This was such an amazing visual for me. I started thinking about the arrows in my life right now. What's written on them?
Have you ever felt so attacked you feel like your walking around with a target on your chest?

Over the next few days I was hearing about other friends being shot by the enemies flaming arrows.,
My friend Paige has a new baby girl with liver issues, another has immigration problems, marital problems for some that don't seem fixable. People with cancer or depression. All arrows from the camp of the enemy.
Have you ever felt like one of those Samurai? Wanting to run for the nearest exit?
The Bible of course talks about this very kind of war. God is good like that.

Ephesians 6:10-16 The Whole Armor of God 

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Verse 16 is the one I want to focus on. It doesn't say the darts will stop coming, we know they won't because God also tells us the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

The Holy Spirit's reminder that the darts of the enemy will come at us BUT we have to stay focused on the word of God and the promises He gives us in His word to bring us life.

That is not always a simple thing to do. It is so easy to get side tracked by life's circumstances, some of them are almost unbearable.

A few days ago I felt a strong urge to go visit my youngest son at work. Being the amazing mom I am I showed up with pizza.

I called ahead and told him to meet me outside so I could do a drive by, however, as he walked toward my car I could see by the look on his face he was walking through his own attack.

When he got to my car he shared what was happening. There is nothing more heart breaking than to see someone you love suffering and there is nothing you can do personally to fix it.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of my Japanese warfare scene so I shared the visual with my son. I reminded him of his armor.

 It not only encouraged him hearing the story it encouraged me again telling it.

He felt better and as I drove away I yelled out my window to him.

神は制御していると、彼はすべての矢印を消すでしょう！

Which means “God is in control and He will extinguish every arrow!”

Of course I don't know Japanese so it sounded more like

yukoooo wanna ahh shune lom u vee! :)

He smiled and nodded his head knowing I'm a little crazy and  the people  standing near by just smiled and I'm sure thought, that's just Gena, she's a little weird.

Gems I don't know what arrows are being shot at you today but I want to remind you that we are in a battle and you are a warrior.

 Like any battle there will be some wounds, some physical some emotional but we have weapons to fight with so make sure you put on your armor daily.

And don't forget

神は制御していると、彼はすべての矢印を消すでしょう！

“God is in control and He will extinguish every arrow!”

 

ジーナの宝石

Gena's Jewels