428: Armor of God: Preparing for Spiritual Battles in the New School Year

Back-to-school feels like the start of a new year for moms, so it’s a perfect time to prepare our hearts and minds. Over the next three weeks, we're diving into Ephesians to explore the armor of God, a biblical metaphor Paul uses to remind us that we are in a spiritual battle every day. This isn't about fear—it's about living a victorious life through Christ.Join us as we encourage you to wake up, equip yourself with God’s truth, and get ready to stand strong in this new season. You’ve got this, and with God’s help, it’s going to be an amazing school year!Episode Recap:4:30 Karen recaps upcoming speaking events and her travel calendar 6:00 The new school year as the real "new year" for moms9:11 Why is the armor of God crucial for spiritual battles?12:32 We don’t think about the fact that we are in a spiritual battle everyday16:43 How do we practically apply this in our families? Karen offers tangible examples22:14 ‘Stand firm’ means we have to be ready. Wake up! Expect the battles to come and be prepared.24:23 We have to retrain ourselves to see the spiritual battles around us and plug into God’s powerScripture for Reflection:Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV):  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”Questions for Discussion:Why do you think Paul chose the metaphor of the armor of God to describe our spiritual battles? How does this imagery resonate with your own experiences as a mom?Karen emphasized the importance of 'standing firm' and being prepared for spiritual battles. In what areas of your life do you feel the most unprepared, and how can you start to equip yourself spiritually?In the episode, Emily mentions that we often don’t realize we’re even in a spiritual battle. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself to stay aware of this reality?How do you see the devil’s schemes manifesting in your daily life, particularly in your role as a mom? How can you counteract these schemes with the truths from Ephesians 6?Karen talks about the need to retrain ourselves to see spiritual battles and plug into God’s power. What steps can you take this week to start viewing challenges from a spiritual perspective rather than just a physical one?Resources:Grab a copy of Karen’s all-new Survival Guide to Motherhood: https://amzn.to/4dxAL1oCome hear Karen teach at an event near you: https://birdsonawiremoms.com/eventsConnect with Birds on a Wire Moms on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsonawiremoms  and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsonawiremoms