When You’re Tired of Fighting: Holding Onto the Armor of God

Motherhood is full of battles—some loud, some quiet. Some are fought in the middle of a toddler meltdown over wearing shoes. Some in the late-night worry over a teenager’s choices. Some are fought in silence, in prayer, for an adult child who's drifting.

And sometimes, the battle is just showing up day after day when you’re bone-tired, stretched thin, or wondering if you’re making any difference at all.

That’s why I keep returning to the end of Ephesians—where Paul reminds us that faith isn’t passive. It’s armor. It’s intentional. It’s a stand.

“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…” – Ephesians 6:10–11

This isn’t about gearing up once a year for a major life crisis. This is daily armor for daily parenthood—no matter what stage you’re in.

Real-Life Armor for Real-Life Motherhood

Paul talks about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit... It sounds poetic until you realize these are the tools we need just to get through a Tuesday.

• When you're doubting whether you handled that situation right: belt of truth.

• When you're carrying guilt from things you wish you’d done differently: breastplate of righteousness.

• When the world feels too loud, and you’re losing your peace: shoes of the gospel of peace.

• When fear creeps in at 2 a.m. about your child’s future: shield of faith

• When your mind spirals into worst-case scenarios: helmet of salvation.

• When you feel helpless but open your Bible anyway: sword of the Spirit.

  
  

This isn’t a metaphor for someone else’s life.

This is for us—for the moms holding families together with prayer, grace, and a whole lot of duct tape.

Prayer Isn’t Pretty—It’s Powerful

Paul doesn’t stop at the armor—he tells us to pray.“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests…” (Ephesians 6:18)

Your prayers matter. Whether you’re praying in the car, in the kitchen, or in the quiet after everyone’s gone to bed—they count.You don’t need fancy words. You don’t need to feel strong.You just need to bring your weary, faithful heart to the God who sees everything.

Sometimes we pray for answers.Sometimes we pray just to make it through the day. Both are holy.

For the Moms Still in the Fight

Paul ends with this:

“Peace… and love with faith… Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” – Ephesians 6:23–24

My hope for you, and honestly for myself:

Peace—wherever you are.

Love—with faith when it feels thin.

And grace—because we don’t always get it right.

The fight may look different in every season of motherhood, but one thing never changes: we don’t fight alone.

We are covered. We are equipped.We are deeply loved.