Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City lies a vast, soaring hall where footsteps seem to echo down the centuries and a silent army of warriors stands forever on guard. This gallery, where armor from many different lands and historical periods is displayed, is one of my favorite exhibits. I love to look at the beautifully crafted swords, shields, and suits of armor. You can take a peek at the collection on the museum's Web site or check out a book on the subject at your local library. ^{The Metropolitan Museum of Art Web site is www.metmuseum.org. Click on "Collections," then "First Floor," then Section M, "Arms & Armor." You can also find images of armor at www.higgins.org and www.globaleffects.com (armor page).} You can also read about armor in the Bible.

Remember the story of David and Goliath? (See I Sam., chap. 17.) Goliath must have been a terrifying sight. First of all, he was huge—bigger than Michael Jordan or any other basketball player who has ever been in the big leagues. And, as a member of the Philistine army, he was a trained soldier, dressed in the very latest high-tech gear of his time. His armor had a helmet to protect his neck and the sides of his face, a very heavy coat of mail (made from iron or steel) that covered his chest, and greaves of brass (like soccer shinguards made from metal) that covered his legs. He looked unbeatable! That's probably why the army of Israel was afraid of him.

One person wasn't impressed by Goliath, though. The shepherd boy David had come to the battlefield to see his older brothers, who were soldiers. He saw the giant, heard his threats, and went straight to King Saul. "Let no man's heart fail because of him," David said. "Thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Eventually, King Saul agreed to let David fight, and even gave him his own royal armor to wear. David tried it on, but it was very heavy. He wasn't used to this kind of armor, so he decided not to wear it. Instead, he went to face Goliath with his trusty sling and a handful of stones.

But David wore another kind of armor that day—spiritual armor. He told the giant, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel." Next he used his sling to hurl a stone at Goliath, hitting him in just about the only place that was unprotected—his forehead. David found the weak spot in Goliath's armor and toppled him.

What was it that kept David safe and helped him triumph over this frightening enemy? It was the spiritual armor of David's faith in God. Centuries later, Paul described this kind of armor perfectly. He called it "the whole armour of God," which he explained was made of spiritual qualities—the "breastplate of righteousness," the "shield of faith," the "helmet of salvation," and the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:13–17). David went forth to meet Goliath wearing "the whole armour of God." That's what protected him on the battlefield.

You can wear this same armor and be protected just as David was. Mary Baker Eddy explains how this armor works. She says, "Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of error of every sort" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 210). If something is impervious, absolutely nothing can go through it. Our spiritual armor of good thoughts keeps us safe from fears or worries that would "attack" us by trying to tell us that we're not feeling well or that we're lonely, scared, or sad. When we listen only to God and the good thoughts He sends us, we are wearing our spiritual armor and are entirely safe.

There are many ways to arm yourself with good thoughts. You can read and think about the truths in the Bible, for one. I like to read the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly every day. It's made up of verses from the Bible and sentences from the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy. The Lesson always gives me new ideas to add to my spiritual armor. Also, Sunday School is a great place to learn what spiritual ideas other kids use for armor and to share the ones you use. And, of course, no matter where you are, you can always listen quietly to God for the pure ideas He is giving each of us all the time. These ideas shield us when we face our own "Goliaths"—any problems that try to bully us into believing that something is more powerful than God, who is good.

One morning, a boy named Ian woke up with a really bad headache, one that seemed as big as Goliath. He and his mom had talked about spiritual armor before. She reminded him that there were no chinks, or cracks, in his armor, so nothing could get into his thinking to hurt him. He was always safe in God's care. After his brother left for school, Ian and his mom read that week's Bible Lesson. They discussed how listening to and understanding the word of God shielded him from any sickness or discomfort. Before long the headache completely disappeared. Ian's teacher and friends were surprised and glad when he came to school later that morning.

Isn't it great that our spiritual armor of good thoughts doesn't weigh a thing, since we always want to have it on? Mrs. Eddy says to "keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love, that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them" (Miscellany, p. 210). She goes on to say: "It is plain that nothing can be added to the mind already full. There is no door through which evil can enter, and no space for evil to fill in a mind filled with goodness."

When you keep your thoughts filled with God's thoughts, you are wearing your armor. And no bad thoughts can come in. Your armor will shield you. You're always safe with God.

An especially good book is: Michele Byam, Eyewitness Books: Arms & Armor (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1988).