Ephesians 6:17 (KJV) 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
The Helmet of salvation is the protection Salvation brings to our mind as we rest in its truths. We rest in forgiveness, we rest in reconciliation, and we rest in our complete and total victory over sin. And most of all we rest in the One that secures our Salvation, Jesus Christ. As we accept Jesus as our Lord and our Savior, He saves us. Because of the great truths of Salvation, we are to have a settled mind; we are to see ourselves as God sees us, forgiven, adopted into the family of God, born of the Holy Spirit, made right God, and at peace with God. The truths of salvation provide the foundation for our mental/emotional/spiritual health.
We Are To Feel Saved
Salvation involves the entire person, including our mental and emotional health. We are to see ourselves as saved, think of ourselves as saved, speak of ourselves as saved, and we are to feel saved; we are to be emotionally impacted by Salvation. We can understand the doctrines of salvation, and be genuinely born-again, but if we do not emotionally relate to Jesus or to Salvation then it will be very difficult to stand against the tactics of Darkness. If we are chronically discouraged, depressed, fearful, etc., then we need to let the truths of the Gospel heal us. If we do not feel saved it is probably that we are not emotionally dependent on Jesus Christ. Salvation cannot protect our mind without emotional dependence on Christ. To have the full protections of Salvation our feelings (emotions) are to be in agreement, and not opposed to the Word.
Do Not Be Divided
We can know we're saved but yet not have the feelings of being saved. We are to allow Salvation to protect us. The truths of the Gospel protect our inward state - our thoughts, intellect, will and emotions. Salvation becomes a helmet for us when we come into agreement with the finished work of Christ for us.
Real Optimism
To act saved we must feel saved. We are to face everyday life with an optimism that comes from the reality of Salvation. The saved person is never alone for he has God on his side. We are supposed to walk through life with an understanding that Salvation has brought us into a relationship of favor with God, and our lives are now ordered and protected by the Lord. We protect ourselves by seeing ourselves as God sees us, as forgiven, saved, and at peace with God. Salvation itself is our protection for it alone makes us right with God, and therefore a "helmet" that provides for our mental, emotional, and spiritual protection.
Real emotional/spiritual health is the result of giving ourselves to the truths of Salvation. We must educate ourselves to the doctrines and the language of Salvation. Salvation is God's greatest gift and our greatest possession. It is His purpose for us and our only place of hope. By faith in Christ, we are truly born-again and have the hope and promises of a bright future.
Salvation brings an optimism that transcends our daily, earthly, experience and becomes a helmet against the lies and distortions of Darkness. A helmet covers our head and provides protection from injury that would otherwise prove fatal.
The Helmet of Salvation Gives Hope For The Future
Salvation not only provides stability in this life through emotional dependence on Christ, but also hope for the life to come. We are to be encouraged by our victory over death and over sin. As death becomes more real to us, great comfort and strength is found in the hope of salvation.
At the moment of death, Salvation alone provides the promise of a good future. There are no other sources or reasons for stability and hope.
According to Scripture, this world and everything in it will be destroyed and the very elements will be dissolved. There is no hope apart from Christ!
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NKJV) 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and Godliness,12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
What do we have to be optimistic about?
An eternity of glory and peace awaits the born-again Christian. We are told that all tears will be wiped away by Jesus Himself. There will be no more pain, sickness, sadness, failure, depression, turmoil, stress, or pressure; but overwhelming peace, gladness, joy, thankfulness, rejoicing, worship, praise, and love - love for God and love for the saints. The greatest blessings of earth cannot be compared to even the smallest blessing of heaven!
Psalm 37:11 (NKJV)11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Hebrews 10:34 (NKJV) 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven
Our Future Is Secured By God
The reality of a new and better future strengthens the people of God. We know we have a future defined and secured by God Himself. I do not know about eternity other than what Scripture tells me, but it tells me enough that I am willing to pay any price, suffer any ordeal, or meet any challenge in order to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:13 (NKJV)13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Hebrews 6:15 (NKJV)15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
As you follow Christ, learn to protect your mind with the truths of Salvation; allow Salvation to be a helmet, protecting you against the hopelessness and discouragements of this world.