surprising superheroes

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Stronghold: a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.

Superhero: a benevolent character with superhuman powers

My child,

Although you live as a human, you cannot effectively wage war in your human strength. Your adversary is not flesh and blood. Fighting someone who has supernatural powers with your natural weapons will lead you to defeat.

I provide you with supernatural weapons (not weapons crafted with human hands) to knock down the strongholds in your life. These are places in your journey that our enemy has fortified, in order, to try to protect them from your attempts to disrupt his plans.

My supernatural weapons look quite different from weapons used for conventional warfare. Our enemy’s strategies can only be effective, if you try to fight it out on your own with the wrong weapons.

Only I can truly make you battle ready. I can equip you by the power of my Spirit with a supernatural arsenal. Defenders like truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and perseverance can be part of your protection. But I can also give you supernatural weapons like love, humility, forgiveness, patience, mercy, kindness, joy, wisdom, faithfulness, compassion and hope. My powerful gifts are invaluable in any situation, but especially when you are in the thick of battle.

Through my power, we can destroy strongholds that impede your relationship with others and me. Take captive your rebellious thoughts and bring them to me. My peace will be yours as you live under my authority.

I am the ultimate expert on how to live life. I created all life, and have been perfectly acquainted with human behavior from the beginning. I know how this works.

I have flawless clarity on the difference between right and wrong. I have unsurpassed insight and wisdom. Stay in step with me and you will walk into increasing power and freedom.

I love you,

Abba

My Abba,

I have learned when I march each day onto the battlefield of life I will get pummeled, if I don’t rely on you. I accept your truth. I need your supernatural protection and power to do battle with a supernatural enemy.  Please make me fit for battle today.

By your power, I ask you to direct and equip me. Enliven my heart to your voice. I want to live in peaceful, power-filled surrender to you, the King of the Universe.

As I think about how my children pretended to be their favorite superheroes, it occurs to me that living life supernaturally sustained by your infinite, endless power gives all your children the opportunity to be superheroes. We can be transformed into “benevolent characters with superhuman powers.”

By your power, we can love the unlovely, forgive the unforgivable, bring peace in the chaos, sow justice in the most inhospitable ground, inspire hope in the hopeless, and move that mountain that looks like it won’t budge an inch. Especially now in the midst of our heartbreaking landscape, we need you to empower us to make a lasting difference in this world.

Although it sounds marvelous to fly above the fray, hair and cape blowing in the wind, please continue to show me everyday the stunning opportunities you give me to live life on the ground, in the heat of the battle, fueled by your matchless power.

I love you,

Mollie

photo: kevin carden