The Armor of God

She is no longer set on my destruction. She and Cody have been much nicer. And I know why. Last Saturday I had to speak for an hour at a 4 stake youth conference. Last week was a terrible week. It seemed that Cody and Liz were set on destroying everything in their paths. I was in a really bad depressed place with a darkness hanging over me that I can't explain. I had one million things that needed to be done. All my older kids could do was tattle and fight. Every time I tried to study or prepare for that talk I got hung up and couldn't do it. Finally, Friday I was at my breaking point. I called my mother in law and had her come help with the kids so I could work. I worked on it all day and still it just wasn't coming together the way I wanted. After I came home from the Friday night activity I finally had Jeff give me a blessing and finally the darkness cleared and I was able to put it all together in a cohesive manner. In the end, the talk went well and many of the youth said they were touched.

I have never had that happen like that before. I have never been so stumped or had so much unleashed on me the week of a talk or presentation. It wasn't until that night before I spoke, when I really sat down to think about it did I understand. I was speaking on putting on the armor of God. I was basically going out to tell the kids how to resist Satan and his influence and how to stay on the Lord's side. Of course SATAN didn't want me to have the spirit or to give that talk! Part of my pat. blessing says that Satan will put roadblocks in my path at every chance and I need to be on guard to always recognize his actions. I wasn't on guard. I didn't get what was going on until it was almost too late. I am grateful again for the priesthood and for that blessing that let the light back in and made it possible for me to give that talk to the youth. There was an important message there for someone. Here is a quote I used in my talk and I think it's so true:

M. Russel Ballard said, “Long before the world was formed, Satan and those who followed after him raged against the forces of good and tried to overthrow the work of God. That struggle has not ended, only shifted battlegrounds. It is ruthless and relentless, and the objective of the battle is your eternal soul and mine.”

We all must “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. …
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:11–18.)