Get Through, Going through "Life"

By Arnetha Thomas

How can one imagine writing Get Through, Going through Life without going through? How can one passionately tell others about wearing the whole armor of God "to stand against the wiles of the devil" without some evidence? Oftentimes, it seems impossible to identify, understand, and/or endure trials occurring in our spiritual, professional, and/or personal lives. During these challenges, we may experience anger, depression, fear, pain, and/or sorrows. We are not merely bystanders. Paul says, we must "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; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:14-18a). Chapter 1, "I Am" reiterates we are created in God's image to have dominion over the earth and authority to speak words of life over and about our circumstances. Not to lay down and let them rule over us! The believer and unbeliever must grasp or understand that we are God's beloved. He has made His heart available to us. Chapters 2-7 explicitly share each armor piece and its use for warfare in practical ways. Arnetha discloses her life and other common life experiences to better understand God's Word. Moreover, we learn through Paul's, Nehemiah's, David's, and others' experiences. God's Word or truths is ignited or powered through prayer. The final chapter help guides the reader in applying the six weapons of warfare; to triumph and overcome personal tunics/life issues. This book is for the babe, seasoned, doubters, and unbelievers in Christ Jesus. Be blessed! Thank you for reading and sharing Get Through, Going through Life with your family and friends!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781684092147

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Get Through, Going through Life

Arnetha Thomas

Copyright © 2018 Arnetha Thomas

All rights reserved

First Edition

Page Publishing, Inc

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc 2018

ISBN 978-1-68409-213-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68409-214-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Special Acknowledgements

Special thanks to God for increasing my senses beyond the natural realm. My eyes to see Him in the spirit, ears to hear His voice, taste to know that He is good, touch to feel His presence, and smell to discern what is approved or disapproved by Him. My senses are empowered by the Holy Spirit. It equips me to pen God’s word for the final analysis of Get Through, Going through Life.

Special thanks to my parents, the late Leroy and Eunice Thomas, for my pathway of righteousness; siblings, children, cousins, nieces, and nephews for your love throughout my challenges; all spiritual leaders and advisors for your teachings, prayers, and encouragement; friends for your blessings in completion of this project; and finally, to all my readers. It’s my prayer that this book adds many blessings to your life and loved ones.

From the Author

Arnetha reiterates to believers in Christ Jesus and those who do not yet realize who Christ is, that the latter portion of our lives will be greater than the beginning. Sometimes one ponders past experiences, choices made, and question God. Then the overwhelming feelings of despair in one’s life becomes the center of attention.

We must remember whatever state that we find ourselves in, the preparation phase of maturity and growth in life consists of: the good, the bad, and the ugly. The get through, going through life are our most ultimate experiences that should lead us to lifestyles and testimonies that are more effectual and pleasing to God.

Arnetha realizes many times one may not really think that deep about God or aware of the importance in establishing a closer relationship with Him. The truth of the matter is, God has a way of getting the believer’s and unbeliever’s attention by allowing what’s called things to happen. You define that thing that has happened to you in your life!

Arnetha remembers that thing in her life, the turning point causing her to need God’s help was in the raising of her adolescence son. Her parents were deceased, and she had to become more of the authoritative figure in his life, in spite of the primary assistance received from his aunt Stephanie. She asked God for His help and realized He needed something from her. Approximately eighteen years ago, she made a commitment to live to please God. Even though her childhood included a Christian foundation of regular church attendance and Sunday School. The motivating factor for joining the church was to sing in the Junior Choir. So she was baptized at the age of nine and participated in many church activities and programs.

As time continued to pass, Arnetha reminisces that she and her sister, Fran, impatiently waited until the New Year’s Eve, Watch Night service ended to attend a party that had nothing to do with the church. En route to the party, the car got stuck in the mud. That night ended without partying, but Arnetha’s mission of good times didn’t stop there. She remembers shutting the club down along with Fran and good friend, Clarateen. There were times her sister was tired and ready to go home. She slept in the car while waiting for Arnetha. Frequently told to take the car and friends would take her sister home. After all, she was at her favorite spot, Big Daddy’s on 119th Street. Most Miami folks during their era should remember Big Daddy’s. They danced until the lights came on and had to be told, The clock on the wall says that is all. Then the DJ would play another slow song for that final evening dance. The party would start over that same night at a different club, the next night, and/or during the week.

Arnetha limited herself to two drinks when out alone to drive home safely. There were times she had at least one more drink. Feeling a little tipsy or drunk, she drove home slowly. She says, Don’t model her behavior because it’s not okay!

Still a regular churchgoer. At the age of nineteen was told by her mother and mom’s best friend, the late Sister Strauder to teach Sunday School. Arnetha told them she was not ready for that task. They told her to come as you are. Her thoughts were to attend church, but not to serve in leadership. However, as a child to her momma nem (family), she did what was told in spite of being grown. Besides, she was still living in her parents’ house and did not have a real job.

So Arnetha became a drunken Sunday School Teacher. She partied all night long on Saturdays, arrived home to change her clothes and on time to teach her class. She recollects reading the picture card lesson to the three-five-year-old children with the liquor on her breath. Her attempts to cover the odor and taste with gum or mint failed. Finally, Arnetha switched her going out to Friday nights instead of Saturday.

She had plenty of boyfriends, but not all at the same time. Her son, Darius, a blessing, was born. She was without a husband and boyfriend. Yet there was no doubt in her mind and proof to confirm her baby’s daddy.

When you think about Arnetha’s lifestyle, it was similar to many of her acquaintances and friends. It was not uncommon to party all night and on Sunday mornings to regularly attend church. She probably prayed for forgiveness with no commitment of true repentance. Thus, her ritual of sinful behavior mixed with church participation continued. She thanks God for His grace and mercy, because He saw something in her that she did not see in herself.

Colossians 1:9–10 says, For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Quite frankly, Arnetha’s lifestyle was not in the will of God. She was straddling the fence. She seemingly had one foot in heaven and the other foot in hell. Luke 16:13 says, No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (riches). Arnetha was a hearer not a doer of God’s word.

As previously stated, arriving at a point in her life where she needed God’s help to raise her son to improve his overall character and behavior for good success. Arnetha realized God needed something from her in return. So she made a conscious decision to think about her behavior and the needed changes to please God. All of her changes did not occur suddenly, and it’s a continual growing process as she yearns to love God more and more.

Despite Arnetha’s growth in the Lord, she too experiences get through, going through. Her ultimate life experiences increases her trust in God; as it gives her opportunities to serve Him more faithfully with more of an appreciative and humble attitude. Through it all, she continues to believe the best is yet to come—the latter phase of her life as well as yours will be greater than the first.

Introduction

Some perhaps heard this before. In 2008, while studying God’s armor, I literally said, This is taking too much of my time and I’m not doing this. I then cast all my notes to the side of the bed. The nerve of me to tell God what I’m not going to do! Upon repentance and obedience, He gave me my first completed book, Power of the Blood at Work Broken Veil. Further, I had to return and finish the rejected assignment titled Get Through, Going Through Life. It’s based on wearing God’s whole armor.

This introduction is important to read giving good understanding of our defensive weapons. The battlefield of life requires wearing the whole armor of God as a lifestyle. In Ephesians 6:14–17, Paul says, we must 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.

The whole armor of God that Paul alluded to were six defensive weapons, even though there were more. God strategically revealed to Paul that the defensive weapons of girdle or belt, breastplate, and shoes or boots were always worn on the battlefield. Subsequently, the question that comes to my mind is what is the battlefield? In the context of physical war described by Paul, it is nations in battle to conquer, overthrow, and rule over the people for their own benefits, and/or chastisement