Mary’s journey of healing and regaining peace after a horrific divorce involved not only facing the emotional and physical aftermath of abuse but also engaging in a deep spiritual battle. As she worked to rebuild her life, she encountered forces that sought to undermine her healing and joy, but through her faith, she was able to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger in her relationship with God. Below, we explore the practical ways Mary used her faith in her daily life as she engaged in spiritual warfare and sought to find peace, purpose, and healing.

Understanding the conflict: recognizing the spiritual battle

  • Nature of the battle: one of the first steps in Mary’s healing process was recognizing that her struggles weren’t just emotional but spiritual in nature. The trauma she had endured from Jason's abuse was not only a physical and emotional burden but also an attack on her sense of worth and her connection to God. Mary began to see that the lies and pain she experienced were attempts from the enemy to separate her from God’s love and purpose for her life. By understanding that this was part of a larger spiritual conflict, she could begin to approach her healing with a different mindset.

  • Practical application: each day, Mary reminded herself that her identity was not defined by the abuse she had endured. She would write out affirmations based on Scripture, such as Romans 8:37 ("No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us"), to replace the lies that had been spoken over her during the marriage. This helped her counter feelings of shame and worthlessness with the truth of God’s love.

Key aspects of spiritual warfare: building strength in faith

  • Holiness: living a life aligned with God’s commandments became a central part of Mary’s healing process. She recognized that choosing holiness and avoiding sin was not just about following rules but about creating an environment for spiritual growth and resilience. By making choices that honored God, she strengthened her ability to resist temptation and the spiritual forces that sought to tear her down.

  • Practical application: to practice holiness in her daily life, Mary made intentional efforts to fill her day with activities that reflected her new commitment to God. This included attending church regularly, reading the Bible each morning, and spending time in worship. She avoided environments and situations that might tempt her to return to old habits or attitudes and instead sought out positive, faith-building activities.

  • Faith: Mary’s faith in God was the foundation of her spiritual resilience. Even when her circumstances seemed overwhelming, she chose to believe that God had a purpose for her life and that He would bring beauty from the ashes of her past. Her faith was tested daily, but she relied on God’s promises to guide her through the darkest moments.

  • Practical Application: every morning, Mary prayed for the strength to face the day. She would often start her day with the prayer, “God, today I choose to trust You. Please help me to remember your promises when I feel overwhelmed.” Throughout the day, she would repeat Scripture that reassured her of God’s faithfulness, such as Isaiah 41:10 ("So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

Prayer and scripture: weapons for overcoming the enemy

  • Prayer: prayer became one of the most powerful tools Mary used in her spiritual warfare. When she faced moments of doubt, anxiety, or temptation, she would turn to God in prayer. Through prayer, she sought God’s intervention, guidance, and protection. It was in these intimate moments with God that she experienced comfort and strength to carry on.

  • Practical application: Mary made prayer a consistent part of her daily routine. She set aside time every morning and night to pray for healing, wisdom, and peace. She also prayed whenever a negative thought or memory from her marriage came to mind, asking God to help her release it. When facing difficult emotions, such as anger or sadness, she would turn to specific prayers like Psalm 34:17 ("The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles"), asking God for deliverance and peace.

  • Scripture: the Bible became a powerful weapon for Mary in her spiritual warfare. Whenever she faced discouragement or temptation, she would turn to specific Scriptures that spoke to her situation. The Word of God became not only a source of comfort but also a shield against the lies and deception she had once believed.

  • Practical application: Mary would write out key Bible verses on index cards and keep them in her purse or around her home as reminders of God’s promises. Verses like Jeremiah 29:11 ("For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…plans to give you a future and a hope") helped her stay focused on the hope God had for her, even in the midst of the painful process of rebuilding her life.

The armor of God: practical protection against spiritual attacks

  • Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18): Mary understood that she could not face this spiritual battle alone, so she relied on the "armor of God" for protection. She knew that to stand firm against the spiritual attacks she was facing, she needed to clothe herself with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Each piece of the armor represented a key spiritual principle that protected her.

  • Practical application: each morning, as part of her routine, Mary would mentally “put on” the armor of God before facing her day. She would pray, “Lord, help me to wear Your armor today. Let me stand firm in Your truth, righteousness, and peace. Protect me with Your salvation and help me to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word.” This simple prayer was a daily declaration of her reliance on God’s strength and protection.

Community support: strength in numbers

  • Community support: during this time of spiritual warfare, Mary leaned heavily on her faith community for support. She found strength in connecting with other believers who could encourage her and pray with her. Having a support system was crucial in helping her resist isolation and discouragement.

  • Practical application: Mary joined a women’s support group at her church where she could share her struggles and receive prayer and encouragement from others who understood her pain. She also made an effort to stay connected with close friends who were strong in their faith, knowing that their prayers and support would help her stay focused on God’s truth.

Fasting and prayer: deepening spiritual strength

  • Fasting and prayer: as Mary grew in her faith, she began incorporating fasting into her spiritual routine as a way to deepen her relationship with God. Fasting was a way for her to humble herself before God, seek His direction, and gain clarity on her next steps in the healing process.

  • Practical application: Mary would set aside certain days for fasting, dedicating herself to prayer and seeking God’s guidance. She would focus her fast on specific areas of her life where she needed a breakthrough—whether that was healing from the trauma of abuse, clarity about her future, or strength to forgive. Fasting helped her to focus her mind and heart on God’s will, breaking free from the distractions and negative thoughts that often hindered her.

Growth and victory: the outcome of spiritual warfare

  • Growth: through the process of engaging in spiritual warfare, Mary grew in her relationship with God. The struggles and challenges she faced became opportunities for her to deepen her faith, learn more about God’s character, and become more reliant on His strength. Over time, she found that she was no longer controlled by fear or resentment but was empowered to move forward in faith.

  • Practical application: Mary began to see the fruits of her spiritual labor in her daily life. She had more peace in her heart, greater clarity in her decisions, and a renewed sense of purpose. Through the power of spiritual warfare, she discovered that her past did not define her, and she could walk in the freedom and victory that Christ had won for her.

In conclusion, Mary’s daily use of faith in her spiritual warfare allowed her to move from a place of brokenness to healing, from fear to freedom, and from hopelessness to purpose. By actively engaging in prayer, reading Scripture, wearing the armor of God, seeking community support, and relying on fasting and prayer, she emerged victorious in the spiritual battle, growing stronger in her faith and finding new purpose in God’s plan for her life.