We all do it. Putting up walls around our heart to protect ourselves from the pain. And we think we’re doing it to be safe.
The walls that we put up sometimes become our prisons.
What we think we’ve done to protect ourselves has, in reality, caused us to hide behind the walk, curl up in a bank and waiting while we fret and worry and fear the worst.
“Guarding your heart” is a biblical principle but if we don’t gain the right perspective on what that means, we may likely end up with a heart that is controlled by our emotions and feelings. While it’s normal to isolate ourselves from the world out of fear or agitation that feels normal Then pain, sorrow, fear, anxiety and grief can creep in behind that walk of isolation and keep us captive.
So how do we break those walls down? I can tell you from experience that once the walls are up it is hard work to break them down. It’s a constant battle.
How do we guard our hearts when our life depends on it? What is the remedy when emotions and agitation don’t just stop by for a visit but barge in and take over our hearts, and minds?
Ephesians 6:12-13 tells us:
“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rules of the darkness of this age, and again against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
The enemy we fight is not one to be fought alone. It’s impossible without God. God is the creator of our emotions, and though Satan would love to use them against us (as he sometimes does), this battle that rages in us has a Victor. His name is Jesus, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Friend. He is the one who conquered evil. He is the one who opens the door to the spiritual realm so He can help us in this battle we face on earth.
Fighting to break down the walls we put up to protect us has to come down to get the prison we so eagerly put up. But breaking the wall takes hard work, preparedness, commitment and stamina.
Jesus told us how to use His armor against the enemy in Ephesians 6:14-17:
“Start, therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”
- Truth –Your belt. It holds you together when your world is falling apart. We have to stand on the promises of God’s Word, even when we don’t understand why, or when the world tells us something different, (see Philippians 4:8-9).
- Righteousness –The idea of the breastplate of righteousness is for this armor to protect us when satan throws his fiery darts at you. The key to guarding your heart is to know God’s Word. It is our righteousness that gives us the boldness to stand against Satan (see Romans 3:26).
- Preparation – having your sandals on, ready to go at any minute. We often let our guard down or get lazy in our relationship with God and satan tries to take advantage of this. I can neglect to clean my house and it won’t do any physical harm, but failing to clean my spiritual house can prove go be detrimental to my spiritual, emotional, and even my physical health. (see 1 John 1:6-9).
- Faith -While this seems an obvious necessity for battle, the shield of faith is more than that. Why do you think the emotion of fear can creep in so easily and consume us? It’s when we lay down that shield that protects us, we allow fear to move in. When we are grieving the shield of faith will surround us and protect us from being consumed by it. Worry retreats when faith takes over. When we walk in faith we quit allowing our feelings to dictate our actions. With faith, we believe God is truly in control. This doesn’t mean we won’t have emotions, it means that our emotions won’t have us. (see 1 John 5:4-5).
- Salvation – The battle begins and ends in our minds. When we choose to believe what Jesus did for us on the cross we recognize that the victory has already been won. No circumstance in this life can change the fact that He saved us. He loved us is much that He died for us. If He loves us that much, we can trust us with whatever life throws at us. The Helmet of Salvation protects our brains from getting out of focus when life gets tough. Our thoughts, actions, and feelings come into alignment when we keep our focus on what really matters. (see Romans 5:7-8).
- God’s Word – Our sword. Our weapon in this spiritual battle. Our words mean nothing. His Words mean everything. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have the Holy Spirit, and He will correct you and guide you, but knowing and applying God’s Word is our fiercest weapon. (see 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5).
This battle isn’t easy, and it’s bigger than us. God-given emotions are a natural part of this life but this gift of emotions was never intended to control us. God wants to fill our hearts and our minds with His truth, but He places that responsibility on us to absorb the truth.
Now you can see how “the armor” that He talks about is for our good. For our protection.
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