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Dec 14, 2025    Matt Ennis

As we approach Christmas, this message confronts an uncomfortable truth: the season that should bring joy can sometimes become our most challenging spiritual battleground. Through Maria's story, we're reminded that grief, anxiety, and spiritual attacks don't pause for the holidays—they often intensify. What makes this message so powerful is its honest acknowledgment that our emotions don't always match our expectations, and that's okay. The exploration of Ephesians 6:10-18 reveals something profound: we're not fighting against circumstances or people, but against spiritual forces that exploit our vulnerabilities. The armor of God isn't medieval decoration—it's truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation actively applied to our lives. The breakthrough came for Maria when she spoke Scripture aloud, reminding us that God's Word is described as fire and a hammer that shatters rocks in pieces. This isn't about positive thinking; it's about wielding the only offensive weapon we're given. The practical challenge to read daily Scripture, memorize a Christmas prayer, and speak God's promises over our lives transforms spiritual warfare from abstract concept to concrete action. We're invited to recognize that when we can't handle life on our own—and we can't—God has equipped us with everything we need to remain standing when the battle is over.