Living Guarded

Read

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Proverbs 3:5a “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…”

Think

“Mom, you’ve got a lot of walls around your heart.”

My daughter’s words took me off guard, and honestly, they stung a bit. I quickly replied, “No, I don’t.” But she just looked at me, calm and steady, like she knew something I didn’t. At first, I shrugged it off, but the comment lingered, echoing in my mind over the next few days. What was she seeing that I wasn’t? I started paying attention to my thoughts and reactions, and soon, I began to understand.

Somewhere along the way, life’s hits—the disappointments, betrayals, and everyday stresses—had led me to build walls around my heart. I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I caught myself assuming the worst, expecting people to let me down, always on edge, bracing for the next hurt. Even with those closest to me, I kept a certain distance, protecting myself from what I feared might be more disappointment.

If I’m honest, I had fallen into a pattern of hiding behind “I’m fine” and moving past conflict rather than facing it. Criticism, misunderstandings, and rejection all hit harder than I’d like to admit. Those walls felt like protection, but I could see how they’d also isolated me, keeping out genuine connection and, in a way, keeping me from fully trusting God with my heart.

Her comment was a wake-up call. Real protection isn’t about hiding or retreating—it’s about trusting God to guard our hearts while we stay open to love and connection. Putting up walls hasn’t kept me safer; it’s only led to loneliness and disconnect. True peace comes not from building walls but from allowing God to be our protector and learning to trust others wisely. Life’s too short to live closed off, especially when freedom, love, and real connection are within reach – if I’m willing to let those walls down.

Apply

Do you have any walls that you have built to protect yourself from hurt? Ask God to help you let down those defenses and replace them with trust in him. This week, be open with a trusted friend and share honestly.

Pray

Heavenly Father, help me let go of the defenses I’ve put up out of fear or past hurt. Teach me to trust you as the true guard of my heart, replacing my worries with your peace. Give me courage to open up to others and to live in freedom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.