Bringing Down Walls and Building Trust
We all at some point have been hurt in our lives. Sometimes we might discard our pain because we compare it to other people who have been through severe traumas in their lives. I would like to share a couple of sentences with you that I read in a book by Marcus Warner. He says, “One of the reasons many people don’t think they have wounds is that they compare themselves with victims of serious abuse. However, it is not the size of the wound that matters. It is the size of the lie we believe that drives how we live.”
Our life experiences can drive us to live a certain way. Look at the children of Israel. When they were in bondage to the Egyptians, they knew nothing but cruelty and harsh living conditions. When God wanted to lead His people out of Egypt into the promised land, they had to learn to trust God. In our own lives, we become a slave to those wounds. Those wounds are built up by lies that the enemy makes us believe in, then strongholds are built and walls go up. What we don’t realize is that those wounds, those strongholds, those walls not only hurt us, but the people we love and care about too.
How can we trust God? We know that He gave us His only Son, Jesus, our Shepherd, to die on the cross for our sins. He displayed a sacrificial love that not all of us would be willing to do. Not only did He sacrifice His son, but this sacrifice brought us redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and everlasting love. When Jesus was here, He established a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly kingdom. He shared God’s word with His people, which is brought to us through the word of God in the Bible. We learn truth, which when applied to our lives, brings freedom. When we believe in God, we believe in His word, we believe in His son Jesus, we witness the gospel coming alive and miracles taking place, miracles that only God can make happen! This in turn builds our trust in Him.
Will we trust Him with our heart? Will we trust Him with our healing? We have an enemy that will do anything to get us to curse God and die. That’s what he wants to happen, to take as many people with him to hell as possible. God clearly states in His word, For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17, NKJV).” Ask God to help you reveal the truth and bring down the lies and strongholds that hold you captive. As He was faithful to bring His children into the promised land, flowing with milk and honey, so He will be faithful with you. This may not be something that happens over night, so do not get discouraged. God is a healer and the lover of your soul. He wants to help you heal and bring closure to every part!
For those of us who are hurt by those who are being controlled by the lie, who have built up walls to protect themselves and therefore is causing you pain. Don’t give up. At Jericho God gave directions to the people. He wanted to march around the WALLS of Jericho for 7 days and on the seventh day they would shout as the seven priests played the rams horn. Joshua instructed, “Now Joshua had commanded the people , saying, ‘You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout (Joshua 6:10, NKJV).” It may not be an easy task, but I pray that God almighty will help you to march around these walls, to pray around these walls, to bare your heart to the Lord about these walls. When they day comes, and He tells you to shout…SHOUT!!!
Having relationship with the Lord and allowing Him to be Lord of your life will make your challenges not seem so big because you are not alone in them. John 16:33, NKJV reminds us, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Again, in John 16:1, NKJV Jesus reminds us, “These things I have spoken to you, so that you would not be made to stumble.” You are never alone, and God does not want you to walk through this life alone. If you are not sure what to do, seek God, look through His word. He will give you direction in what to do. He will never steer you in the wrong direction. We serve a God of grace and mercy. Open your heart to Him today. Walk with Him today. Accept the gifts of His glory that can transform you life!
©2022 Leslie Wittenmyer—all rights reserved