Building Up and Tearing Down Walls

Ask the Lord to give you the strength and courage to get out of your comfort zone and obey His will for your life.

Luke 9:23-24 "And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. ‘“

Most of us tend to avoid pain, both physical and emotional. We don’t like to hurt, so we tend to keep ourselves protected by clinging to what is secure, safe and comfortable in our circumstances and relationships. We build up walls of protection.

We were designed to value life, and self-preservation is a good thing. But building up walls can keep us from following God with our whole heart and soul. God may ask us to get out of our comfort zone, and set ourselves aside for His use and His glory. He wants us to trust Him; but we can only do that when we let go of what we think is right, or what is comfortable, and fully obey Him. We must be willing to tear down those walls we have built, step out in faith and trust Him to protect us and guide us. Remember, God does not force us to follow Him; He wants us to do so freely. Jesus is the perfect example of what it means to truly submit one’s life and entire self to God.

Dear Lord, please give me the strength and courage to follow You every day. No matter how tough things get, or how my plans might be disrupted, help me to seek You first and focus on Your will for my life. Help me to understand that real life begins when I give You control, with complete faith and trust. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have I built up walls of protection from fear of pain that are actually blocking my relationship with God?

Is my faith and trust in Him strong?

Do I have the courage to follow Jesus’ example and submit myself to God even when things get tough?