Prisons of Self-Protection
Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-8

Today’s Treasure: “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me” (Psalm 31:3).

Life is hard.  Always has been—but people in past generations were usually only aware of hardship in their immediate sphere.  Our present society is graced with satellites that daily dump worldwide disasters in our living rooms.  Good still exists out there somewhere but, let’s face it, it’s not news.  Daily doses of the world’s meanness, violence, and depravity take their toll.

One natural result of constant contact with negative influence is a hard heart.  In reality our hardness of heart is nothing more than a fortress we’ve constructed around a frightened heart.  We build layer upon layer of protection to prevent being hurt.  Tragically, the same fortress that won’t allow the hurt in also won’t let love out.  Our fortress of self-protection becomes our prison.

Whether or not we realize it, we spend untold efforts in attempts to avoid pain.  Yes, even Christians.  Do you journal your prayers?  If so, check it out.  Notice how often you’ve asked God to deliver you or someone you know or love from pain. 

I’m not suggesting that we can’t or shouldn’t ask God to deliver us from pain.  We have biblical permission by Christ’s example in Matthew 26:36-44 and Paul’s example in 2 Corinthians 12:8 to ask Him to remove any thorn (or cup).

I am suggesting, however, that we adopt a new, eye-opening perspective—the goal of life is not the absence of pain.  It is the presence of God and the glory of God.  When He can work glory without pain, He does.  When He can’t, it’s going to hurt.  But it’s also going to be worth it someday (see Romans 8:18).

Abundant living is impossible behind the walls of our self-centered fortresses.  Anything we’ve done to protect ourselves will work to imprison us.  If we don’t risk our hearts, we deny ourselves some of life’s richest experiences.

I’m certainly not proposing life without protection, but only one way exists to find protection without imprisonment.  We must make God our Fortress.  Only God can hem you in from every side, yet “set your feet in a spacious place.”  It’s only in His protection that we remain free.

After the Oklahoma City bombing, Garth Brooks, an OKC native, wrote a song with this basic message: It’s not that I think I can change this world; but I will not let this world change me.  He sang a very biblical message (see Romans 12:2). 

Let’s not grow cold with this world.  Let’s risk it.  If it hurts, we won’t break.  If we’re in Christ, we’re not nearly as fragile as we may believe.  It’s time to let God cut away all the layers we’ve built around our hearts (see Deut. 30:6). 

Christ is your Fortress—your protection.  Go ahead—live a little!

My Lord, my Fortress, thank You for warning me that self-protection can become a prison.  I need Your help not to fear pain and avoid it at the cost of my own freedom.  Let me trust that You will carry me through every disaster that comes my way.  Please help me remember that the goal of life is Your presence and glory rather than my safety and ease.  In the strong and mighty name of Jesus, Amen. 

Adapted from Whispers of Hope, by Beth Moore, page 181.  Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1998.  Used by permission.