More than likely you’ve never seen the item pictured above. At first glance, you might think it’s a noisemaker used in primitive worship ceremonies. Others might say it looks like a musical instrument or the paddle for some game.
In actuality, it’s a model of an ancient Aztec weapon, a macuahuitl (MAC-wah-wick).
Strange-looking, isn’t it? How could a wooden paddle be deadly enough for warfare? The key lies in those black protrusions on the sides. They were made from obsidian and filed razor sharp, capable of creating gaping slash wounds.
Here’s another strange-looking weapon. They remind me of the jacks some of us played with as children. These are called caltrops, with each spike measuring 2 1/2-to-3 inches.
Caltrops were designed so that, when thrown on the ground, one point would always land facing up.
Spread hundreds of these around your camp at night, and protect your soldiers while they rest. Or hide them in the area before the opposing army approaches, and cause crippling injury to many men and beasts as they charge.
But why all this talk about ancient weapons?
In the spiritual battles of life, we too have at least two strange-but-effective weapons at our disposal.
At first glance, they might appear useless against our adversary Satan. But these weapons have the power to defeat his minions of discouragement, disappointment, envy, frustration, and more.
The first weapon is gratitude. Yes, just uncomplicated gratitude.
For example, consider each of the negative emotions named above and how gratitude might incapacitate them:
- When discouraged by lack of recognition at work, I can be thankful God sees.
- When dissatisfied with my paycheck, I can be thankful that God will provide.
- When disappointed by my child’s behavior, I can be thankful for the life-lessons taught through consequences that will benefit him in the future.
- When envious over the lovely new house of an acquaintance, I can be thankful for our low mortgage, friendly neighbors, and the memories that have turned our house into a home.
- When frustrated by a day of one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back, I can thank God for the strength and patience to see me through [1].
And as we wield our weapon of gratitude we’ll discover: “The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person” [2].
The second strange-looking weapon against negativity is contentment.
But how do we manufacture deep-down satisfaction when life is full of difficulty and stress?
Luci Swindoll suggests: “Consider who you are and be satisfied with that. Consider what you have and be satisfied with that. Consider what God is doing and be satisfied with that” [3].
One way to employ contentment is to meditate on one of the praise psalms, like Psalm 103 or 145. While reading each verse, consider what it says about who you are, what you have, and what God is doing. Brandish your discoveries in the face of the enemy of your soul.
Even one simple statement can generate a whole journal of responses. For example:
In this moment, consider:
- What goodness do you see, hear, taste, smell, or feel (externally and internally)? Praise God for these gifts [4].
- What recent events have brought you joy? Praise God for engineering those events.
- Who has blessed you lately? Praise God for these people.
- What are you looking forward to? What hopes do you have for the future? Praise God that, because of his unfailing love and faithfulness, we always have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23).
- What evidence of God’s thrilling presence have you noted? Praise him for revealing himself in so many different ways [5].
Perhaps a thick fog of trouble makes it difficult to see much goodness. British writer and scholar Alexander Smellie (1857-1923) would have us affirm:
“The Lord knows what is best for me, and my surroundings are determined by Him. Wherever He places me, He does so to strengthen my faith and power, and to draw me into closer communion with Himself. And even if confined to a dungeon, my soul will prosper.”
Those are fighting words of contentment we can take into battle, my friends!
[1] Job 28:24; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 12:11; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Philippians 4:13
[2] Lysa Terkheurst, Embraced, 256.
[3] Joy Breaks, 79.
[4] A previous post Mindfulness PLUS may prompt your thoughts.
[5] Another post Heart-to-Heart offers examples.
Photo credits: http://www.worldhistoryencyclopedia.org; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.canva.org; http://www.pxhere.com.
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Fighting words, indeed, Nancy! When we are thankful and content knowing that we are secure when surrendered to Go, we have everything we could possibly hope for.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! While keeping a daily gratitude journal the last seven years I’ve learned just how powerful this simple practice can be. I’m so thankful I took up the habit of thankfulness! 😁
Thank you for this reminder. I needed it today! ♥️
Praise God for his timing, Bridget. Isn’t it amazing how often this happens?! Blessings to you this day, blogger friend!
Amen and amen 🙏🏽 I can be grateful even in the dark times, because. Of the faithfulness and love and hope our God gives us to us. Great post, my friend.
Thank you, Brenda. Praise God for his inspiration! Gratitude can be most difficult to offer up when facing dark times. Maybe that’s why the writer of Hebrews called it a “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). But as we give thanks for such realities as you mentioned (God’s faithfulness, love, and hope), we find our spirits lifted. And God can use gratitude to make us more like Jesus!
Amen 🙏🏽
I’m glad that God fights for me
Indeed, God protects us (2 Thessalonians 3:3) even as we fight (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)! I’d be in sad shape without him!
Me too, my friend. Me too!
I love how you analogy worked from actual weapons to the ones we can use every day and which we already have waiting for us to use them. Love this post!
Thank you, Vickie. As always, I praise God for his inspiration!
Ouch I wouldn’t want to step on one of those things. I love your words today, Nancy – gratitude and contentment. I definitely agreed with gratitude – so powerful but hadn’t consider how equally effective contentment would be. Good point. I am finding starting and ending my day with gratitude and praise – has helped me win some of the battle we face. Happy weekend to you!!
There IS power in gratitude to ease the effect of many negative emotions. No wonder the Apostle Paul told us to give thanks in all circumstances and rejoice always (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)! Happy weekend to you also, my friend!
Awesome post! Gratitude changes everything…When we see the world through the lens of gratitude, we see anew, nothing is the same. It is easy to take so much for granted, but when we are aware and grateful, even the littlest of things become blessings. God is good and He is good all the time!
Thank you for your insightful addendum, Linda. You are so right: the lens of gratitude helps us see anew what might otherwise seem humdrum. Praise God we can count on his abounding goodness, all the time (Exodus 36:6)!
Nancy, I started reading this a few days ago, then interruption derailed me. Good thing. TODAY is exactly when I needed to read this. So timely after the holiday letdown and the fresh challenges of a new year ahead. Thank you for reminding me where to begin again. And again. I take heart from St. Benedict’s Rule: “Always, we begin again.” And I take heart, afresh, from your wisdom as well. Thank you!
You are most welcome, Laurie. Praise God he used this post to minister encouragement to you. I am honored!
Hi Nancy,
The Lord’s weapons bring down strongholds. The gates of Hell can’t stand against them. Have a great week.
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you for adding 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 to the conversation, Gary–very appropriate!
You bet.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Gratitude can be a powerful stress buster if used for all your bullet points. 🙂
Absolutely, Nancy. Even secular research has proved the benefits of gratitude!
Some good reminders for me to take to heart today.
They’re good reminders for me too, Linda! I remember better those things I’ve pondered in order to write about them!
Thanks Nancy for reminding me we have weapons and I don’t use them at times. Happy Bew Year to you and Steve.
Sam
I don’t always turn to gratitude and expressions of contentment as quickly as I should either, Sam. Praise God, he appreciates progress, not just perfection!
Nancy, I love the idea of gratitude aa a weapon! I also enjoyed the historical information about weapons.
Thank you! Have a great day!
Thank you, Stacey. For many years I never thought of gratitude as a weapon for spiritual warfare, but it makes perfect sense that a thankful heart could fight against certain negative emotions. As for the historical information, I always enjoy research and learning about new things!
I like “The truly thankful person is a truly peaceful person” because for me it could be a resolution of sorts for the new year. I seek that peace yet can’t claim I’ve found it completely through gratitude. On the other hand, contentment is a weapon I seem to have mastered over time. I am at peace with where I am and what I have, without comparison to the same for others. And thank you for Psalms 103 and 145. I enjoy the reinforcement of your messages through Bible verse.
Kudos to you, Dave, for mastering contentment. As for gratitude leading to peace, it too is an attitude that develops over time. I’m still working on the habit myself! / I include a lot of scripture so readers can affirm what God says about the topics addressed here. I hope never to present an idea not based on his truth!
A timely read for me, Nancy, especially the reminder to wield the weapon of gratitude in the face of a week of days, “When frustrated by a day of one-step-forward-and-two-steps-back, I can thank God for the strength and patience to see me through.” The Lord is so faithful in His provision. Only when I have a grateful attitude can I see all that He provides.
And as we see all that God provides, we can’t help but be uplifted! Praise God this post was a timely read for you, Beth. I
Thank you for this encouragement to view gratitude as an offensive weapon against so many poor choices!
TT
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Join me at Living Our Days https://michelemorin.net “The way we live our days is, of course, the way we live our lives.” (Annie Dillard)https://linktr.ee/MicheleDMorin
You’re welcome, Michele. Gratitude is such an easy weapon to employ, we just need to remember to use it!
Wow, Nancy what great spiritual arsenal wrapped up in these words from beginning to end! I’m marking this one for myself to read again and have also sent it to my bestie and to my husband! So good!!
Oh, Alicia, I’m delighted this post was so meaningful to you! Praise God for his inspiration.
❤️
This is so good, Nancy. Thanks for listing some practical ways to help us stay grateful and content. Living this way does bring peace.
How delightful to hear from you, Mary! I continue to pray for you, hoping all is well with you and your family. You are a wonderful example of the power of gratitude and contentment when life is difficult. (Bill offered the same example!)
Thank you so much for your prayers, Nancy.
Amen to focusing on gratitude, speaking it out loud, writing it down … whatever it takes to make this as natural as breathing. Our whole vision of life changes as we come from this hopeful place. There is so much to be thankful for … even in the midst of the hard stuff. Thanks for the needed reminder, Nancy.
You’re so right, Linda: “Our whole vision of life changes as we come from this hopeful place [of gratitude.]” The habit of keeping a gratitude journal has been a delightful encouragement to me, keeping me on the outlook for God’s blessings!
Thank you, Nancy. Great reminders to be thankful in all things. Viewing our circumstances through the lens of thankfulness makes a difference and does bring peace. 🙏🏿
Amen, my friend, AMEN!
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Gratitude and contentment surely do make a bad day or situation so much better. It’s not just a temporary “feel good” moment, either, but the difference is seeing everything through God’s eyes of wisdom instead of my eyes of doubt or despair. When I pray with Aaron at night, I spend most of my prayer on going over all the many things we have to be thankful for. It sure does help me, and I believe it means a lot to Aaron, as well. I’m thankful for you, by the way, Nancy!
You are so right, Patty. Gratitude expressed soon becomes gratitude expanded as we see more and more for which to be grateful, which in turn impacts the atmosphere of our spirit. I love your habit of a gratitude prayer with Aaron each night. No doubt he sleeps better as you impact the atmosphere of HIS spirit!
Weapons to do spiritual battle are things I’ve recognized as deeply necessary. But you’ve added some wonderful “weapons” that are attitude-driven, choices we can make to choose His strength over our propensity to weakness, selfishness, and brokenness. Thanks for these fighting words, my friend.