Demolition of Walls

 

 

"An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city..."  Proverbs 18:19

 

(Bear with me today, as we take a little side road from the book of I John...)

 

Have you ever noticed in your own life how quickly hurt can turn to anger?  I am not sure what the reason is. Perhaps the emotions associated with being offended make us feel weak and vulnerable, so we choose to be angry instead, a more "empowered" feeling.  (Psychologists refer to this as reaction formation ; ) )  Or maybe the level of hurt just tends to evoke a more passionate response.  Either way, offense builds walls.

In my own life I have gone through situations that can cause old anger and hurt to be reignited.  Sometimes after the offender is long gone from this world.  What an awful feeling to be mad with someone who is no longer here to work it out.  Especially if it is over situations you have long ago chosen to forgive and forget.

God gives us emotions to help and protect us, but if we do not keep them in check, they can take on a life of their own.  One of "The Santa Clause" movies had plot where a fake Santa was designed to fill in while the real one was gone  back to real life to handle some business. Before long, Fake Santa turned into a tyrant and destroyed everything at the North Pole.  That is the way offense can be for us.  We build a wall, we put up a defense, we embrace anger.  All of this is done to help us handle things.  But before long the fake us takes over and destroys all of our good.  The hurt evolves into a life of its own.

I have heard it said that "forgiveness  is a gift you give yourself."  It's true.  Letting going of offenses frees us to be happy and re-enter our lives.  What are you struggling with today?  Do you have hurts and wounds that are festering in your life?  Make a decision to start tearing down your fortified walls.  Your abundant life is awaiting you on the other side.

Dear Lord, help me to not be a person who is offended, unyielding or surrounded by walls.  Help me to be authentic and trust you to protect me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri