Garbage in, garbage out.
This statement is often used when talking to teenagers about the importance of guarding their hearts and minds in regards to the media that they view and listen to. But the older I get, the more I realize the truth in this statement in my own life. What I put in my mind comes out in my words, emotions, and actions.
Unscientific Experiment
Unbeknownst to me, for the last 14 years I have participated in an unscientific experiment testing the validity of this in-out concept.
For the first eight years, I kept God at arm’s length. While I believed He was my Savior, I didn’t allow Him to be part of my daily life. I pulled Him close during Bible study and church, and when things were hard and I needed Him. But I didn’t allow Him to be part of my daily activities and the words I spoke.
After hitting rock bottom, for the next six years I did the reverse and welcomed God into every detail of my life. I made daily Quiet Time a priority and welcomed God in every part of my life – marriage, parenting, friendships, and work. I filled my head with the truth of the Scriptures through praise music and other various avenues.
While obviously I didn’t make these choices for an experiment, but I bet you can guess the conclusion I came to.
Truth in, Strength out.
The Bible says that every day we are in a battle against the enemy. In order to stand against the devil’s schemes, we are to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11). The belt of truth has become my favorite piece of armor.
Read this explanation of the Belt of Truth from the ABCJLM Armor of God Unit Study
The belt is one of the most important pieces because it secures the soldier’s armor in place and holds the sword. The devil tries to get us to believe lies and he twists the truth. The Bible is our gauge for truth. By placing the Belt of Truth (Bible) on our waist we can remember what is true.
By continually filling my mind with truth, I have strength to parent without emotion, clean up yet another dirty kitchen with a servant’s attitude, and use kind words when my heart has been wounded.
Here are a few ways that I keep truth front and center.
1. Daily Quiet Time
This one activity has changed my life more than all of the others. It is imperative that we start each day with a ready heart. A heart that is tuned to God, His love, and His will. Read more…
2. Praise Music
What is it about praise music that changes our moods, attitudes, and outlooks? I can’t give you all the scientific reasons (though there are a lot), but keeping truth-filled music piped through our home has made several differences. Read more…
3. Clothing
I {LOVE} encouraging Scripture t-shirts. Not only do they encourage me, they encourage those who read them. I also love the conversations that develop with strangers when I wear them. Call me partial, but my favorite are the Be Intentional t-shirts we offer in our Amazon Shop.
4. Deco
Around our home, I have posted Scripture. Sometimes this is in beautiful decor while other times it is in a post-it note.
5. Daily Use Materials
The truth of scripture can be placed on almost every product that you use on a daily basis. From planners to water bottles to cell phone cases.
Here is an example of cell phone cased created by Prone to Wander. I love the simple reminders that will be seen multiple times throughout your day. While not offering the protection that Otter or other high quality cases provide, the Prone to Wander cases supply encouraging Scripture on clear, wood, and shimmer cases for most makes and models of smart phones. Also available on their website are canvas banners, boards, pillow covers, art prints, and ornaments. Picture above: Clear Trust in the Lord in Floral, Wooden Be Still and Know, Shimmer Beauty for Ashes
Enter to win a set of 3 phone cases here.
And there are many more options. Choose one that will help you be filled with truth, so that you can be strong in battle.
Teach your children or class the importance of the protecting ourselves for battle in this nine lesson Armor of God Unit Study.
Thank you to FrontGateMedia for the opportunity to review the Prone to Wander cases.
We haven’t done the Armor of God study yet, but after reading this I want to! Maybe even just for myself! 😆 That is such a great explanation for the belt of truth! If we forget it, then we simply don’t have our weapon, our sword!
The Sword of the Spirit! Yes, the only weapon used to fight in the battle. 🙂