When we are in the middle of a battle we must be active – never passive. Without taking the right action we cannot attain victory. Victory takes work.
About two weeks after we lost our baby, when the funeral was over and the little pink items we had purchased were packed up or given away – to someone who could use them for her baby, a child who had life and breath in their lungs – we had to return to our lives. We needed normality again. Though I couldn’t remember exactly what that was, I knew it was time to at least consider living beyond just existence again.
But how?
We stopped hiding from the world and started to work our way back into society.
One of our first outings was church.
First, I used about a pound of makeup to cover the sleepless dark circles and salt-stained face. And then we put on faith and left our house to travel to the house of God. I surrendered my hands in worship unsure if I really meant it. My lips trembled while singing words I questioned. Yet I actively put on worship.
The apostle Paul pounds the words put on into the recipients of his letters. As I continually stumble upon that phrase throughout his writings, I keep gravitating toward the action in them.
To put something on requires action. It’s a choice just like anything else.
To get out of bed in the morning is an action that requires choice. To get dressed is an action that requires choice. To love, forgive, and trust again – they are all actions requiring a choice.
We have to choose to act in the way that Christ wants us to act – and expects us to act.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,
if anyone has a complaint against another;
even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do,
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection
and let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
– Colossians 3:12-15 (NKJV)
It isn’t easy to act when you are wounded. But you must! You cannot claim victory without the action it takes to fight.
What qualities do you need to “put on” in order to begin making progress towards victory? (For examples, refer to the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.)
If you would like to know more about this series, or catch up on what you missed, click here.
For a free copy of my eBook, Mercy Waits, click here.
Great word, Jennifer. Thank you….
Thanks, Levi.
So good, my friend. I am reminded on how I need to “put on love” every day. I need to “put on a peaceful and quiet spirit”. So many things I need to put on.
There are so many things we all need to “put on.” You are not alone, Barbie. It is a day-by-day process.
Jen,
Thanks for sharing your story…what a testimony! Yes, when we are wounded we need to “put on” life, which can be a daunting task. It takes hard work and even a fight if we want to be victorious. So glad that God promises to “fight for me” if I will only be still! I need to work on putting on patience, right now, with a couple people in my life. Thanks for an encouraging post!
Blessings Bev
It is a daily fight for sure, Bev. Patience is a tough one for me as well.
Another great message Jennifer.
Thank you so much!
Hey Jennifer…this putting on worship and the action required to do so is powerful. I remember putting it on to go to church after my first miscarriage…how difficult it was. This so such an important point for us to remember. Thanks for teaching with such clarity and grace.
Thanks, Lisha. Sometimes we need to practice worship and thankfulness just like we need to practice anything else. It’s a process when enduring grief…
This works for my series on Practicing Patience…..I need to get up every morning and ‘put on patience’ Thanks for your words
Thanks for reading, Paula. I will check out your series!
While I know nothing about losing a child, I have struggled with depression. I have learned that it takes a choice to heal, and while I may not have a comment for every day, I want you to know that I am loving this series, and your precious heart. This is indeed the fight for our very lives!!
Thank you, Deanna. Your words could not have said it better. It is the fight for our lives! Thank you so much for reading!