Armed Against DepressionSample

Day Three: Breastplate of Righteousness

All through history, warriors have worn armor to protect against enemy attacks. A breastplate covers the most vital organs and is securely fastened even when a battle is not currently taking place.

Modern day armor weighs around thirty pounds, not including any equipment or supplies a soldier needs to attach to it. It is not conducive to running or quick movements, but it provides such crucial protection, it is issued as a standard part of a combat uniform.

Wearing such a heavy piece of equipment takes time to adjust to and when first strapping it on, the body feels suffocated and longs to reject the weight. Because of the material of the armor, it traps heat so it will be ten degrees warmer for the wearer than the weather outside.

Therefore, one key goal in boot camp and in training is to help new recruits adapt to the additional weight and condition their bodies to wearing it. By the time soldiers are in the field, they have psychologically and physically adjusted to wearing the heavy covering of security and there is a keen awareness that the body feels exposed and unsafe without it.

In the same way, your mental health needs the solid protection of righteousness, because depression will try to convince you that you are not good enough. Our spiritual enemy wants you to feel shame and convince you that you are not worth God’s sacrifice. In your own righteousness, you cannot stand up to the lies. But Jesus’ perfect righteousness is your protection. His perfect record declares you innocent and makes you a new creation!

The Bible also talks about another type of righteousness—the striving you have in this life. Underneath the impenetrable, secure righteousness of Jesus, you have a calling that can sometimes feel very heavy and tiring. Your body and mind might want to buck under the life he calls you to. Be aware that Jesus, your commanding officer, has first-hand knowledge of that burden as he lived on the earth, too. He faced off with the same challenges so he knows how hard it can be.

Yes, you will fail at times. You have probably already made a bad choice today! But that’s why you need to picture your spiritual body under the protection of Jesus’ perfect record. When depression takes aim and attacks your worth and claims you to be too guilty, allow his moral victory to guard your heart and mind. You are not your sin!

To do: Journal on the idea that you are not your sin—and what that means to be separate from it. Notice if there are sins in your life that are harming you. Choose someone to talk to and begin to find ways to combat what is hurting you.

Jesus, thank you for your perfect record of righteousness. It is the breastplate that keeps the enemy from being able to destroy the hope we have in salvation. May our hearts fall under the continual protection of your armor and help us to keep going and carry on even if life gets heavy because we know you understand.