But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet of the hope of salvation. For God destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.
There are several analogies in the New Testament about putting on the armor of God. There are days I feel like I need all the protection I can get from the slings and arrows of life. The virus makes me nervous and a mask hardly seems like the armor of God, but it is. The same goes for the breastplate of love and the helmet of hope. For you see the author reminds us we are not destined to be angry or full of wrath, we will survive with faith, hope, and love.
It is a good image to conjure, think about walking out the door fully protected with the glistening new armor of hope, faith, and love, and just to be further safe include a mask.
This concept is one of the most helpful to me also when facing life’s challenges. I remember my Mother talking about how it was brought home to her when she saw an old movie in which the actor was doning his armor and you could see how fully protected he was.
Thank you Ruth. Hope you and Grant are doing well and being safe. Love. Webb.