One of the most critical things we can do to endure—in fact, to stand effectively in our night of faith is to daily put on the Armor of God! "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10)

Being strong in the Lord is our most critical imperative. This is in the present tense which means it is to be continuous. It is in the passive voice, meaning that we receive the action; it’s something that happens to us. Twice Paul emphasizes that it is to include all of the parts (not just our favorite pieces)!

As we consider this warfare we are engaged in, remember our combat intelligence insight: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12).

So Paul details for us the seven elements of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18):

1) "...having your loins girt about with truth";

In contrast with the myths and disinformation which dominates our contemporary society, we are to be girded with the only real truth: His. "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6)

2) "...and having on the breastplate of righteousness";

The breastplate protected the vital organs; the penetration of this piece usually proved fatal. We need to be protected by His Righteousness, and not rely upon our own!

3) "And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace";

Every battle requires preparation, and ours is no exception. We must choose, moment by moment, to "put off’ our sin and self and, to "put on" Christ.

4) "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

Our shield of faith needs to be in good shape before the battle. Are there "holes" in our shield that need to be repaired? Are we making "faith choices" to believe what God has promised us in His Word? If we’re not, our shield has holes and we are giving the enemy a perfect inroad.

5) "And take the helmet of salvation";

Helmets are a form of security. Failure to have a proper helmet on can prove fatal. Our helmet was purchased just for us. We are entitled to it because of Christ and what He has done. We must realize who we are in Him and that He has paid the full price for our redemption. We have been redeemed; we have been paid for; we are no longer our own. Nothing protects us more from a blow to our head than our "helmet of salvation"—His Life in us. Each time we step out our door, we must realize that we have been redeemed and that we already have eternal life. No one can take that away from us. Satan can’t touch us! Nothing, by any means, can hurt us. Re-read Romans 8:28-39.

6) "...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God":

7) "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit..."

It is absolutely incredible that we each have a priority connection directly into the Throne Room of the Universe! It is amazing to realize that this astonishing resource is so available and yet so sparingly used. It is unquestionably the most powerful weapon we could possibly have. And, it is the deciding factor in our spiritual warfare.

And last, but certainly not least, we need to begin to pray and praise God in everything that concerns us. Most of us have heard quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:18 that says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." By faith, we need to act out this Scripture.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway[s]: and again I say, Rejoice... Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4, 6-7)

The most important thing we can do at this time is to have a loving, blind desire to praise God in everything. Praising Him will turn your mind from the depths of despair to being fully focused upon Him.

I remember years ago reading the book Prison to Praise by Merlin Carothers and thinking, "How on earth can I praise God for all the bad things that are happening in my life?"

I have since learned that what God wants us to praise Him for is not all the bad things, but for who He is in the middle of the bad things. He wants us to thank Him and praise Him for His goodness, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His power, His sovereignty, His Love, His mercy, His grace, His peace, His truth, His wisdom, His redemption, His Spirit, His strength, His salvation, His sanctification and all the other thousands of things that we can think of. This is what will get us through this trial in His timing and His way.

Our progress in God is always measured by our separation from sin and self. Suffering, then, is simply a means of "un-selfing" us.

Therefore, we are not lost in our night seasons, but actually found. The darkness does not come from the enemy who hates us, although he definitely tries to use it to crush us and annihilate us, but from God who loves us. God will not lift the darkness until He has accomplished in it and through it and by it all that He needs to.

God never mortifies us, without giving us life as a result. And He never humbles us, without bringing glory to Himself through it.