Shields Up!

Talking to DA, I was telling him about already being under spiritual attack. I was preparing to take a trip to meet someone to do a radio show, and tell my story. I had waited two weeks for this to get here, and now just two days before I am to go, the attacks had begun. But this time, something amazing and wonderful had begun to happen. Instead of those negative thoughts, imaginary confrontations and conversations stirring up the oppression once again, whenever they would try to pop into my mind, immediately they would bounce off and away.

At first this was a little confusing to me. Because they would begin as they always have, only this time they weren’t as clear for me to hear. They sounded sort of muffled. It helped me to identify them more quickly and in doing so, I could shut them down. When I would shut them down (a mentally uttered, “Stop it” or a verbal “No”) I could literally feel them bounce off of “something” within me.

It wasn’t until later in the evening, when I was talking to DA that it came to me; Shields! My shields were up! I remember saying, “It’s like on Star Trek Next Generation, when Captain Picard yelled, “Shields up!” There is literally a force field around me that when those oppressive thoughts and comments try to come in, they immediately bounce back off!” Of course, DA just looked at me. He’s not a “Trekky.” But I knew what it was, and talking about it out loud helped me to identify it. It was my FAITH.

When you put your faith and trust in Jesus, believe Him for your protection, and you are truly working to follow Him, you will have shields and they will always be up! Here’s how I know…

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” ~Ephesians 6:14-17 (emphasis mine)

Treasure Island, Florida
©ShelleyWilburn.org

When someone tries to drag you down because of what you are doing, your shields will protect you from their hurtful words. I have had enough hurtful words to keep me down for the rest of my life. But Hallelujah! when the Lord set me free from that, He put my shields up and as long as I’m following Him, they’ll stay up!

So let the enemy fire at me! Let people try to drag me down. I don’t need Commander Data to keep an eye on my shields. I have the Holy Spirit. As long as I stay in God’s Word (the Bible), and keep talking to Him (in prayer), my shields (my faith) will remain intact. If I start to feel them slipping, or feel a hole in my shields, I will go to God, not Geordi La Forge, and He will strengthen me and restore my shields.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.