When I was growing up, kids didn’t wear bike helmets or knee/elbow pads. I used to love riding my bike though and always liked going fast. I would zoom through the neighborhood with the breeze flowing through my ponytail as it blew straight back in the wind. 

Today, safety equipment is created to protect kids. As I became a parent, it was interesting to hear other parents on both sides of the camp. One group of parents would say, “I had to walk uphill, barefoot and in the snow to school. The last thing I am going to do is coddle my kids and buy them knee pads.” The other group of parents would say, “We know so much more today than we did then, so why wouldn’t I want to buy all of the protection possible for my kids as they ride their bikes.”   

Why was a helmet created? The head is critical because our brains are our command centers telling our lungs to breath and our legs to walk. Wearing a helmet while riding a bike or while playing sports has a purpose – protection for our heads.  

Ephesians 6:10-13 is a powerful verse entitled, The Armor of God. “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. 

The verse goes on to talk about the various parts of protection that God gives us IF WE CHOOSE to hear and follow our creator’s instruction.  Verse 17 picks up with “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

We know protecting our head is important to protect ourselves due to its critical function. However, protecting our head in the spiritual battle is equally important. When we lose our head and give way to fear, panic, and confusion we immediately take ourselves out of God’s divine provision.  We then try to stand on our own reasoning. That’s like standing in a thunderstorm without an umbrella holding a metal pole and expecting to not get wet or worse, electrocuted. God doesn’t work that way. God deals with the faith of His people. We either choose fear or faith.  

God is not the author of confusion or fear. Therefore, when you are panicked, scared, or confused – ask yourself, “Am I standing firm in the knowledge of my helmet of salvation? When you are saved – you are immediately a child of God and you have full access to his peace and the mind of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:16. 

This is a great test to ask yourself BEFORE your feet hit the floor in the morning to start your day the right way. Do I believe God is who He says He is?   

1. Do I realize I am saved? If I’m not – I have a choice to make because if the Coronavirus has taught us anything it is that things can be snatched from us (what we perceive is our control) in a moment’s time.  

2. Am I waking in fear or confusion? Then I need to play a song about faith – Peace by Still by Hope Darst is an amazing song or Fear Not by Kristine DiMarco.

3. Do I need to put on my helmet of salvation?  John 4:4 reminds us, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”  This means we have Christ living inside us and we have access to HIS POWER. All we have to do is claim it.  

4. Ask who do I believe? The Lord Almighty– creator of all things or am I showing with my mind and emotions that I am believing the enemy, media and the world?

5.     And finally, have I DECIDED I will believe, trust and follow God before I let my feet touch the floor?