When fear takes over, we instinctively reach for emotional armor to protect ourselves - control, people-pleasing, self-victimization, or withdrawal. Like David removing Saul's ill-fitting armor before facing Goliath, we must recognize that our defensive mechanisms often don't work and leave us exhausted. The armor of control makes us micromanage everything, believing we'll be safe if we stay in charge. People-pleasing armor drives us to keep everyone happy to avoid rejection. Self-victimization armor tears us down before others can. Withdrawal armor keeps us isolated to prevent hurt. Instead of relying on these faulty protections, God calls us to trust His strength and put on His armor of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and His Word.