A battle of the finest

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm" - Ephesians 6:10-13

What a week, yes I realize it's only Tuesday, but Monday seemed like enough of a struggle for the whole week. Sometimes it seems that as Christians we are not well enough prepared to fight everyday against Satan. I do not want to denounce or make light of the fact that the battle is already won by Christ, but I want to emphasize that Satan is still fighting. The pat answer that Jesus has already won does not give freedom from the bondage that so many of us face everyday. I was thinking about when WW2 ended and the battle was won and what this meant. There was joy and excitement but this did not mean that struggle was not still ahead for the people and countries involved but that they could begin to rebuild and move forward. Each day we live knowing that the battle is already won but that does not mean living after is easy. Many people had lost loved ones, many soldiers were harmed in the war, buildings were destroyed and all countries involved suffered economic downfalls of some kind.

Everyday we all deal with issues that have been placed upon us by those around us and those that we have placed on ourselves. The lies that say we are not enough, that were stupid, the fear that lives in us that hides the deeper issues, of hurt, of abandonment, of perversion, and many more. For me lately everyday has been a battle fighting against so many fears and hurts that have shaped me. Matthew 12:45-46 tells us that when one spirit is cast out 7 more return. I am in the middle of a time of change in my life, breaking habits and wrong thinking about myself and replacing it with that of God's however this does not mean that Satan will not fight to keep me thinking less of myself and so the attacks persist stronger each time. However the most important thing to remember is that yes the attacks are stronger, but each time God takes over another part in me, it is through Him that I become stronger and am able to persevere through each hard time (James 1).
- T.




My interest in history and the way this poster fit with this post I thought was interesting. The British Government's Ministry of Information put out posters after the outbreak of World War Two all throughout the country to ease public fear. This was the third poster in a serious the only one with the words, 'Keep Calm and Carry On' with the royal crown, the first two were distributed but the third was kept only for extreme crisis (the invasion of Britain by Germany)

Although many of these posters were made, only a few were distributed because the invasion never happened and after the war they were destroyed. Almost 60 years later the poster was found by bookseller when looking through dusty books bought at an auction.