Last night, I had a dream that shook me to my core and then lifted me up in the most profound way. It was a vivid and emotional experience that brought me face-to-face with my deepest grief and, ultimately, led me to a place of strength and renewal through faith. I want to share this dream with you, not just as a personal story but as an encouragement to anyone facing their own battles.
In my dream, I signed my husband, Lee, up for a revolutionary blood transfusion that promised to remove the cancer from his body. On the day of the appointment, Lee’s sister came to support me. As we prepared to leave, I received a phone call from our insurance company, asking how I planned to get Lee to the hospital and what I hoped to achieve from the procedure. Suddenly, I was struck by the heartbreaking realization that Lee had already passed away. In my dream, I felt foolish for making the appointment, overwhelmed by sorrow and confusion.
I started crying—deep, gut-wrenching sobs that shook my entire being. The grief was so intense that it woke me up, and I found myself crying for half an hour before drifting back to sleep. Back in my dream, I was lying on the ground, feeling utterly defeated and unable to move. The weight of my sadness and pain was crushing.
As I lay there, I noticed something remarkable: pieces of armor scattered around me—a helmet, a shield, shoes. I realized that this was the Armor of God, and I realized I had to put it on. With a newfound sense of urgency, I quickly donned the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, and the shoes of the gospel of peace. As I stood up, fully armored, I saw myself as a mighty warrior—strong, capable, and ready to fight.
In that moment, Jesus appeared to me. He told me that Lee had already gone ahead, but that I too could stand and fight. This encounter reminded me of the power and protection that comes from wearing the Armor of God.
The Armor of God is described in Ephesians 6:10-18:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Each piece of the Armor of God serves a critical purpose:
- The Belt of Truth: This represents honesty and integrity, holding everything together. In ancient Roman armor, the belt secured the soldier’s tunic and held weapons. Spiritually, truth is our foundation.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness: This protects our heart and vital organs, symbolizing the righteousness we receive through faith in Christ. It guards our core, our moral and spiritual center.
- The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: These provide stability and readiness. Just as sturdy shoes are essential for a soldier, the peace that comes from the gospel equips us to stand firm.
- The Shield of Faith: This large shield protects against attacks. Faith in God’s promises can deflect and extinguish the fiery darts of doubt and temptation.
- The Helmet of Salvation: This protects our mind, reminding us of our salvation and the hope we have in Christ. It guards our thoughts against discouragement and despair.
- The Sword of the Spirit: This is the Word of God, our only offensive weapon. It is powerful and effective for defending against falsehoods and proclaiming truth.
Historically, the imagery of armor was deeply familiar to early Christians living under Roman rule. Roman soldiers were a common sight, and their gear was a symbol of strength and preparedness. By drawing on this imagery, the apostle Paul conveyed a powerful message about the spiritual resources available to believers.
In my dream, putting on the Armor of God transformed me from a state of despair to one of empowerment. It reminded me that, even in our darkest moments, we are not alone. We have divine protection and strength available to us. This dream was a profound reminder that, despite our grief and trials, we can stand firm in faith, equipped with the Armor of God, ready to face whatever comes our way.
If you are going through a difficult time, remember that you are not alone. Put on the Armor of God and find strength in His promises. Stand firm, knowing that you are a mighty warrior in His eyes, capable of facing any battle.