Shields Up

We often describe faith as an invisible shield that surrounds us and protects us from the fiery darts of the adversary. In Science Fiction shows like Star Trek, the spaceships have invisible shields that protect them from the laser blasts - or fiery darts - of their enemies. These shields only work if they have enough power, and the captain will often order that power be diverted from other parts of the ship so that the shields have enough power to keep them safe. Similarly, our shield of faith is only effective if it has enough power. When we are under spiritual attack, we may need to let go of distracting things that are preventing us from maintaining our shield at full power. Also, if we find that our shield is letting more fiery darts through than we would like, then perhaps we need to examine ways in which we can get more power for our shields. The greatest source of power is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but we do not always have as much access to this as we could hope and there are a lot of things we can do to strengthen our connection to that ultimate power source. Studying the scriptures, repenting, obeying Commandments, keeping covenants, loving and serving one another, praying, fasting, partaking of the sacrament, going to the temple - all of these will increase our access to the power of God and strengthen our shield of faith and make it impossible for Satan's fiery darts to wound our souls.