When my children had dance class or soccer practice, I picked them up after school. I can still remember how upset I felt when I saw their peers wearing shorts or no coat and sandals when it was cold and snowy.

Where were their parents when those children got ready for school that morning? Why didn’t they make sure they were “geared up” for the weather?

Isn’t it wonderful to know our Father, God, isn’t the kind of parent who sends us out into the cold without our coat on?

He provides us with an entire suit of armor to protect us from Satan and the sin he shoves our way. God gives us the shoes of the gospel of peace, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Bible.

The children coming to school in shorts and sandals in the winter knew better and had coats and warm clothes to wear. They just chose not to.

The same is true about the armor God gives us. The Bible tells us it is there for the taking — to make us stronger, keep us safe, and to keep us spiritually healthy. But it’s up to us to put it on and wear it.

What are you wearing when you go out into the cold?