In the daily practice of praying on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), there has been a significant solidification of my emotional state, giving a growing stability that is very encouraging.
This is not a self-centered focus but is believing and accepting what God says about us; it is living in the light of His love rather than in self-condemnation, in vague shame and the natural negative self-thoughts that Satan wants me to dwell on. I have always been critical of and dissatisfied with myself, never believing I can measure up, but this is fading as I see more and more of God’s total forgiveness and love.
In this, the Lord is building in me an emotionally healthy independence from others—I no longer feel obligated to be influenced and controlled by others’ negative emotions. And He is also developing in me an emotionally healthy, deeper dependence on Himself. This growing grasp of His unshifting character, manifested in His love, acceptance and graciousness, is the rock upon which I can rest. In the light of this, I actually like myself now!
Being His child is such a healing reality. As it says in Ephesians 1, “God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love…To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” John sums it up 1 John 3:1 “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are!”
Something great to be really thankful for!
