“He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.”Psalm 91:4
“The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.” Psalm 116:6 (NIV1984)
I tried to protect myself by hiding. Hiding my feelings, my fears, my struggles and insecurities. This would eventually backfire, as I’m an external processor and everything I tried to keep in would burst forth like a beach ball held under water.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
(NIV1984)
I continued to try to self-protect while following Jesus. I thought, “I can’t tell anyone about same-sex attraction, the fact that I self-injure, or that I hate myself on a regular basis. I’ll project the image that I have it all together so no one questions me.” This facade is not something that I could maintain healthily for lots of reasons, the bottom line being that God didn’t want me to protect or trust in myself.
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.” Psalm 91:15 (NLT)
How have you self-protected? Maybe more importantly, why?
Stop and think about your fears. What would happen if you chose to allow God into all areas of your life?
“He is my loving ally and my fortress,
My tower of safety, my deliverer.
He stands before me as a shield and I take refuge in Him.” Psalm 144:2
I need to read this post on a regular basis…. I do the self protection constantly.
I have built up so many walls to shelter my feelings and it is hard to take them down.
I need to remember to let God be my guide and trust in Him.
Thank you for posting this it is one I will have book marked.
Thanks for the comment, Colleen! Glad this was helpful 🙂
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