Shielded by Faith

Shielded by Faith

Holly O’Brien

July 28, 2026

Cover yourself with the whole armor of God – this is what we as believers are instructed to do in Ephesians 6: 10 – 18 in order to stand against spiritual darkness.

Last night I woke up around 3:30 a.m. For hours, I wrestled with worry and doubt and fear about my future for different reasons. I knew my husband also had trouble sleeping because of worry he was experiencing on his own about a separate issue. I sufficed it to be that we would both be doing this now. Before I could finish thinking about that thought, I banished it. I refuse to let that be my reality. I am going to choose faith, instead. I am faithful. I was reminded of a verse in the book of Ephesians about putting on the shield of faith. As I began thinking of my situation in a positive way, I then got a vision of myself crouched under a shield. I was grateful. I was so protected feeling in those thoughts. I was practicing my faith. I was letting myself rest in that shielded state and began to get excited by my prospects. Doubt fled and I literally felt my whole demeanor change as a result of this mental shift in protected perspective.

Immediately, I began turning around every thought – “taking each captive,” if you will, and subjecting them to the obedience of Christ. I turned every situation I was previously projecting as a worst-case outcome, and the thoughts of ‘I can’t do this in the amount of time I have’ into something positive. I can only do what I can do, I realized simply, and projecting the worst-case scenario or even just negatively doubting how I would NOT achieve something in such a short timeframe kept me burdened. What do I really know about the future anyway? I had come under the weight of my doubt, and it was too much. But the shield kept me from taking that as gospel. That is literally the opposite of some of the gospel.

Mark 9:23 reads, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes." This is where I am and one instance where faith has begun to play a role in my life in a different way. I am beginning to believe for the best. My faith journey is no longer about my faith in God, that is certain; it is my faith in myself and what lay ahead. And, that I am stirring up!

Jesus instructs us in the bible time and again to fear not, but he also follows it up with a directive: “…only believe.” My feeling was more of doubt, however. What I needed for myself was faith! "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." That is where I came to last night. I felt like everything was already possible. I could do it all – maybe. Maybe nothing would come of my actions, truthfully, but I will try, faithfully! Worrying about things not working out was off my plate! I reasoned that either way, whether things are achieved in my time frame or not, I will change for the better! What will come when I try my best will be a positive education and transformation on my part. And faith will bloom along this path!

The outcome is not my responsibility, and, according to Proverbs 16:9, my steps are not even my responsibility. I can plan my way, consult the Lord about my plans, and trust He will direct my steps. That’s where it gets exciting. What happens there will remain a mystery, and there I can hope expectantly, just waiting to see what He turns up. That makes me grateful.

Interestingly, Ephesians, in verse 6:16 reads, “Above all, taking the shield of faith…” The words, “above all” are what strike me. More than anything else we are directed to take the shield of faith over the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. None of those is more important than the shield of faith!  Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you all be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. That is the most important piece of spiritual armor we have. I love that, and that is what I have and will continue to shield myself with!

Doubt is my fiery dart, and faith is my shield against it. I am winning the battle for my successful life shielded by faith, and I will, directed by God, achieve what I set out to do!