When the arrows do pierce your flesh.

Many arrows will land. Your spiritual flesh will burn like you can’t imagine. But you already know that. You know your failings. You know your mental and emotional tendencies. You know the wrong things you run to, which you think will satisfy life. You know when arrows land, big and small—if you are honest. And yet you may be numb to the landing of these flaming arrows. In your spiritual nakedness you may have been hit so many times, it feels like that is the norm. Just how things are. And you cower. But deep in your soul, deep in your heart, you know that is not true. 

There could be victory, and arrows could flame out on the other side of your shield. So, before we get to all that, I want to say, God heals where the arrows land. He is always there. He is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psa. 147:3). “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psa. 34:17–18).

Never forget, God heals where the arrows land.

You are righteous. 

You are His. 

You have that promise from Him. 

If you are not His, you will continue to burn. But, He’s only a prayer away. Yet for many, they just will not believe He exists and is who He says He is. For them, the burning is for now, and for eternity. It does not get better, only worse. If this is you, I beg you to reconsider who you think God is. His might comes with knowing truly who He is and dismissing the lies you used to believe. Satan knows the big picture, and that the victory is already ours. But that victory is not always manifested around us every day.  Yet, if we look, we can see Christ at work, in battle. Will we build our armor and go out, or hide?

He never called us to worry and wring our hands. In fact, on about 295 occasions He says do not worry, or fear, or fret, “for I am with you” (Isa. 41:10). So, you either believe that’s true or you don’t. If you’re wringing your hands and worrying about the state of the world, you don’t believe what He says. You’re lying to yourself. 

If you belong to Christ, you will not experience hell eternally, though you may succumb to some of hell’s influences here on earth. How many believers do you know who have stopped following Him well? Have you had those moments, too? Build some armor, and be strong in His might. The enemy is afoot.

You will not get the armor built by the end of this book. It takes a lifetime to assemble a covering of armor, and a great deal of intentionality to draw closer to Him. But you must start and you must continue with steadfast determination. Over time, you will build it.

Don’t try to fight naked. You will lose. Remember, the suit is not fully developed, but the materials are fully available. 

From Tiny Armor p. 37.