THRIVE Study Series Week 1 - You Need Your Helmet On: Why You Need The Right Mindset to Thrive.

Have you ever witnessed someone riding a bike, whether it be a child or an adult, without wearing a helmet? Chances are, you've encountered numerous individuals falling into this category over the years.

In my home country of Nigeria, there was a time when commercial bike riders were not required to wear helmets as they served the public. Can you imagine the consequences of such a situation? Well, it didn't require much imagination because the inevitable happened.

With the added complication of poorly maintained roads, the number of casualties increased, and many individuals suffered severe external injuries from falls. When the authorities finally mandated the use of helmets, one would expect a collective sigh of relief, right? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Some riders resorted to a clever but ineffective tactic of simply placing helmets on their passengers' heads without securing them properly or ensuring the right fit.

Consequently, even a slight bump in the road or any mishap caused the helmets to fall off, rendering them useless in providing the intended protection for the riders' heads in case of an accident. The question arises: What kind of protection did these helmets really offer? The answer is none.

I vividly recall when my daughters started learning to skate or use their longboards and penny boards. We were adamant about them wearing protective gear, particularly helmets, to safeguard their heads. The head is a crucial part of our bodies, and we do everything in our power to protect it in times of danger.

One incident stands out in my memory. My 11-year-old daughter was riding around the neighborhood with her friends, and suddenly, I received an unwelcome visit from a police officer who had brought her home. For a split second, fear gripped my heart as my mind raced through all the horrible possibilities. However, I managed to maintain a calm exterior as the officer informed me that my daughter had bumped into something, fallen in front of his house, and sustained significant bruises and injuries. Despite her pain, the fact that her head was protected gave me hope.

Helmets are designed to distribute the impact of an accident across a larger area, reducing the direct impact on the skull. I would never hinder my children from engaging in enjoyable and adventurous activities or participating in sports out of fear of falls. Instead, I ensure they have the proper safety gear or personal protective equipment (PPE) so that they can play safely without fearing lasting damage.

Likewise, the apostle Paul understood the importance of protection when he wrote the book of Ephesians. He comprehended God's will for us and knew that God desires us to live life freely, without fear. God is aware of the dangers present in the world around us, and He provides us with the right kind of protection to keep us safe when evil threatens us.

The head houses our brains—it is the seat of our intellect and our minds. That's why the entire armor of God is mentioned in Ephesians 6, where God instructs us to guard ourselves:

"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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which

you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT)

In our upcoming podcast episodes, we will delve into the subject of mindsets. As Christians, we often become so engrossed in the spiritual realm that we forget we are tripartite beings—spirit, soul (mind), and body. To thrive in our purpose, assignments, and relationships, we must first focus on our minds.

The entire series revolves around thriving in our enterprise—flourishing in our purpose, assignments, and relationships. That's why we begin with the mind.

Our mind serves as the control center, generating thoughts and residing in our brains. Consequently, God's Word advises us to safeguard our heads with the helmet of salvation. The battle we face in our minds, nurturing the right mindset to thrive, is of great importance. Hence, the helmet serves as protection against negative thoughts that attempt to convince us that thriving is beyond our reach.

So, what thoughts must we shield ourselves from? You may wonder, "Will I ever measure up to God's assignment for my life? Do I possess the qualities necessary to fulfill God's purpose for me on Earth? Will I ever be ready to step out and step up? Am I enough as I am? I feel inadequate and unsure if I can handle this assignment. I lack the necessary resources and money..."

Let me assure you that the enemy will never stop bombarding you with these thoughts. That's precisely why you need a helmet, why you can't afford to ride without the protection it provides.

If your head is damaged, the effectiveness of the rest of your armor diminishes significantly—it becomes practically useless. Therefore, you cannot venture into the world, marketplace, parenting, marriage, or career without the proper protective gear.

I've witnessed my husband don his protective gear countless times before heading to work. He never takes it lightly because he understands the constant danger lurking around him. He knows that his protective gear offers the best form of protection.

The helmet of salvation symbolizes the assurance of our salvation—a confidence in the reality of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. It represents the certainty and boldness we possess to walk in the full benefits of our salvation. We must guard this knowledge and assurance fervently, as it is one of the primary areas the enemy attacks.

He knows that if he can mess with your head and your mind, he can easily manipulate and overpower you. Fortunately, God has equipped us with everything we need to stand against the lies, tricks, and schemes of the enemy. However, we must acknowledge our vulnerability without protective gear, be willing to put on the armor, and ensure it is properly secured.

We must understand that our minds require protection and take the necessary steps to keep ourselves adequately shielded. What are some factors that could prevent us from wearing our protective gear?

1. Ignorance: Living in a bubble of unawareness, failing to acknowledge the daily battle we face. "This is so that we would not be exploited by the adversary, Satan, for we know his clever schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11 TPT). Ignorance of the ongoing battle leaves us vulnerable and ill-prepared. We shouldn't live in fear, worry, or anxiety, but we are instructed to watch, pray, and remain vigilant. Don't expose yourself to danger due to ignorance.

2. Pride: The belief that we are skilled riders who have been doing it all our lives, and therefore don

't require protective gear. We might think, "I know the Scriptures well enough, a few days without diving into them won't make a difference. I'll be fine." However, pride precedes destruction. "Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18 NLT). Your boast can become a prophecy of future failure. The higher you elevate yourself in pride, the harder you'll fall in disgrace (Proverbs 16:18 TPT).

3. Feeling of Adequacy: The notion that we don't need anyone or anything, believing we are invincible and indestructible. "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NIV). We can only boast in the Lord because He is our sufficiency.

4. Brokenness: Feeling undeserving, thinking that salvation is unattainable. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV). Our salvation is a gift from God, empowering us to fulfill His good works.

If you wouldn't allow your child to ride without a helmet or get into a car without being properly strapped into a car seat or booster seat, then why do you believe you don't need protective gear?

This week, equip yourself and protect against the enemy's tricks and schemes. Don't let ignorance, fear, pride, a sense of inadequacy, or feelings of unworthiness leave you defenseless. Gear up and keep your helmet on at all times.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You for the gift of salvation, a precious offering that I could never afford with my own merit. Today, I surrender my pride, ignorance, feelings of invincibility, and unworthiness to You. I choose to lean into You and wear the protective gear of salvation that You provide. I will safeguard my mind by continually working out my salvation with fear and trembling.

May my mind remain protected, enabling me to thrive in the purpose and assignment You have for my life. Amen!

This podcast episode corresponds with WEEK 1 of our THRIVE Study series at Families Arising.

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