Like a bright orange butterfly on a neutral back ground, sometimes circumstances make us feel like we are unprotected and alone. There are times when it is extremely difficult to believe anything except the way it looks to the eyes or feels to the heart.
Too often in life, we erect our own walls of protection in an attempt to keep people from hurting us over and over. Each “brick” is a variation of sometimes sub-conscious or conscious promises and vows such as, “I’ll never get married;” It doesn’t matter;” “I refuse to ever get in that situation again;” “All men/women are bad;” “I’ll never trust anyone again;” …really most “All” & “Never” declarations can qualify as self-protection.
The problem with these “walls” that we construct is that they become prisons of our own making, not our freedom. We lose the ability to go freely about life and we become afraid to take reasonable risks that help us grow and mature.
Protecting ourselves can become a form of self-imposed prison.
Dismantling the walls if self-protection entails learning the truth of what the word of God says about us and our circumstances.
I know from experience that exchanging the belief in lies with the truth found in the Bible is a big relief! By first agreeing with God that we have agreed with lies, then giving those to Jesus and replacing them with the promises from the word of God we dismantle the self-protection and invite God to protect us.
A few examples of God’s promises of protection include:
Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”
Psalm 68:5 “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
Psalm 91:14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.”
Yes, some of these have conditions, but our Creator knows who we are, what we can handle and what we need. It is always good to keep in mind this is a process, a journey. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Perhaps my favorite of these promises is Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
I am not righteous on my own! Only by the blood of Jesus do I find myself justified and seated in the Heavenlies. It is by that same work of God through Jesus that the promises apply to each of us who are disciples of Jesus.
“And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:30-32
Take just a moment to ask God if He has a “brick”/lie He wants you to give to Him today. If He reveals one, ask Him for His promise to replace it. Dare to trust in the eternal promises of the word of God and the power it has to bring healing and freedom to you today! “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
Andrea Van Boven (Madden): I like to think I am a radical lover of Jesus, but I live in a house and pay bills and look like I fit in with respectable society, like most people. What goes on in my head and heart are hopefully the things that betray the look of "normal" that comes at first glance. I hope those things inside of me seep out to actions as well as words of hope and encouragement. I pray that these in turn will lead others to know the loving Creator who knows us so intimately that he has a number for every hair on every head.
