Ephesians 6 tells us to be spiritually strong and put on the full armor of God because our struggle is against the authorities of darkness and not of this world. If we are to be victorious, we have to put on this armor. In Ephesians 6, Paul provides wisdom about how we can be spiritually strong.

If we can stay together and stay committed to the faith and to our spiritual practices, then what the enemy has meant for evil, God will turn around for good. We can come out on the other side of this pandemic, this trial, this year, spiritually strong. There is nothing our God can’t do. Let’s be spiritually strong and do what God has asked us to do: let’s walk in obedience, speak words of faith and stay in a place where our hearts are drawing near to God, then we will become spiritually strong.

We never asked for a difficult season, a pandemic, political turmoil, or racial issues, but, when these things happen, Jesus wants us to do more than survive; we need a season “surthrival” guide.

Sometimes we are successful at doing the wrong things, for example, living like a victim of circumstances. It can be comfortable because it’s familiar, but courage can bring about change that transforms a victim's life into victory. We often like what we are familiar with and are hesitant to follow God to a place of discomfort. In order for us to shift into the new person and the new season that God is trying to produce, here’s what we need to know…

2020 is a test in our lives and so we need wisdom and how to move through it. Last week we talked about the “Whose Voice” test, and how to gain wisdom and understanding in how to navigate whose voice is speaking. The next test is the “What’s Real?” test: using wise judgment to determine truth from lies, fact from fiction, and opinion from reality.

Listen to the people who have fruit. Do not listen to the people who have no fruit of success in ministry, leadership, or building anything. Do not listen to the people in isolation because they will always rob you of your destiny. Ask God for his wisdom to listen to the right voices and discern right from wrong. Let’s all conquer the “Whose Voice” Test together.

God will never get us into something that he’s not going to get us out of. When fear takes over our minds or our spirits, it tells us that the past is better than the transition we’re in now. When we can’t see our path, it’s tempting to go back to what we know, but the future is in front of us. The only way to move is to move forward. By the blood of Jesus, we will make it through. Jesus paid the price 2000 years ago for our freedom and our healing. We have to declare it. We have to take hold of it.

There is power in prayer. How is it that Jesus can be in a place of prayer, but not change the external circumstances around him that allows darkness to have a moment? Remember, while weeping endures for a night, joy comes in the morning.