War Is Violent

Someone prayed in prayer meeting this morning that the Christians on the periphery would choose to enter the battle. I wanted to cry out: "They are already in the midst of it." They may be hemorrhaging in varying degrees from fear, despair, anxiety, worry, self-pity, guilt and condemnation, apathy, hatred, oppression, greed, pride and sinful lusts or unbelief. We are at war!! This is not a choice. Whether within our members or against the deceiver, we are in a violent battle.
I have always known myself as an odd person. I am comfortable in my own skin. I have always practiced transparency. When I'm happy you know it. When I am sorrowful you know it. I am quick to confess my sin to someone if I believe it would cause healing for either them or me. I live in a state of frequent, active, brutal warfare. WE CHOOSE TO PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD or lie as a victim of war: beaten down, crushed, oppressed, begging for help, numb or full of rage from the years of torment and torture as a prisoner of war.
I know what it is like to be a prisoner of war and be like fodder for the enemy. I was a saint who at one time shook her fist at God and said, "I quit! I do not want to play this game with you anymore." I entertaining the notion I could "check-out" of the battle through suicide. After coming to my senses, I pleaded with God never to let me go to that place again.
Paul suffered many things at the hand of God. But he fought the good fight, he ran the race to win, he persevered and pressed on toward the upward calling of the Lord Jesus Christ.
David suffered as God's anointed.
Abraham believed God. How? After suffering from his self preserving ways of unbelief, then getting to the other side with hind sight vision to see the goodness and faithfulness of God.
I have been trying to use any behaviors of unbelief as a barometer to indicate what part of my armor I am not protected by. Or if I am not wielding the sword of The Spirit of Truth, even if just to block fatal blows. Or if I am neglecting to hold up the shield of faith for protection from the fiery darts.
In conclusion, I will call upon the LORD. He is worthy to be praised. The Lord lives and blessed be my rock and blessed be the God of my salvation.