Is Building Walls of Protection a Good Thing?

A good friend mentioned that she had built walls of protection around her heart to keep from getting hurt. For the next few days, I kept thinking about her revelation. I’m sure most of us have erected a wall at one time. I have… However, the question is this. Is building walls of protection a good thing?

Various Walls of Protection

Walls of protection are a good thing for keeping:

• property safe,
• prisoners from escaping, and possibly harming others,
• nature from invading roads, homes, and businesses,
• a nation’s borders protected from those who wish to enter illegally and inflict harm.

In the ancient Near East, walls were common around cities such as Jericho, Jerusalem, and Babylon. Moreover, these walls of protection served as a defense against invading armies and marauders as well as for the protection of their inhabitants and commerce. Some walls of protection were so thick that chariot races were held on top of them. 

Walls of Protection Around Our Hearts

Throughout a person’s life, many people build walls around their hearts to protect themselves as a reaction to being hurt.  Women and men are great at erecting these “walls of protection”.

Earlier in my life, I built a tall wall around my heart that lasted many years. Therefore, I was able to relate to what my friend shared with me.

However, building “walls of protection” around our hearts is not a good strategy. Moreover, while it might offer a temporary shield, these walls can hinder our joy, intimacy, and health.

7 Possible Reasons for Building Walls Around Your Heart.

Here are 7 reasons walls of protection could be built.

1. A way to manage intense emotions.
2. A fear of vulnerability
3. To create a sense of control in their lives. 
4. A way to cope with an unhealthy relationship, possibly due to:
   • Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, or neglect.
5. Past hurts, disappointments, or betrayals.
6. Traumatic experiences
7. To protect themselves from negative self-perception and potential rejection. 

The Adverse Consequences of the Walls We Build

In my case, the walls I built were due to emotional abuse and stress growing up and in my marriage. This led to many years of intense panic and anxiety attacks. This, in turn, created physical health issues along with mental issues.

Here is the truth… We cannot avoid being hurt as long as we are alive on this earth. We live in a world full of broken and fallen people because of our sinful nature.

In the Amplified Bible version of John 16:33, Jesus warned us that in this world, we will have tribulation, distress, suffering, trials, frustration, hurts… then He reminds us that He has overcome the world. Christ has deprived it of power to harm us and has conquered it for us. Therefore, Jesus reveals why He has warned us. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.

We think we are protecting ourselves by building walls of protection. However, we are building a wall of isolation that imprisons us and makes us lonely and bitter. We become bitter against people, but more importantly, we become bitter against our Lord and Savior. This is a sad mess we get ourselves into because only Jesus Christ can free me from the prison of my own making.

Therefore, the answer is not to build walls but to place our hearts in the precious hands of Jesus Christ. Trust Him! Begin to allow Him to tear down the wall you have built.

But be aware that Satan, the father of lies, will tell you to build that wall higher and higher. “Don’t you dare let anyone near, especially God”…

What If?

Think about this… What if Jesus built a wall around His heart and said I’m not going to the cross and sacrifice myself for these ungrateful people. Ohh, they love me when I’m doing a miracle in their midst. They will never love me as I love them. They refuse to accept that I AM the only way to eternal life. Why should I allow myself to be treated this way? I will build a wall around my heart…

Keep in mind that God the Father turned His face away from His only begotten Son as the sin of all mankind was placed there upon Jesus as he cried out My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Be Encouraged! There is Hope!

Our attempts to protect our hearts our way will always fail. Freedom comes through Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We must feed ourselves the truth found only in the Word of God to be able to tear down the wall we have erected.

Yes, it hurts to allow yourself to be vulnerable and begin to remove the wall. However, I encourage you to begin today. Humble yourself before Him and ask Him to heal your heart and teach you how to trust Him.

A Few Helpful Scriptures

• 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
• Deuteronomy 31:7-8 – “Be strong and courageous… The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
• John 14:1 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.
• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
• Psalm 91:1-2 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
• Colossians 3:1-4 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Feed yourself the truth in the Word of God and be set free. Does it mean that you’ll never be hurt again? Sorry to say nope, life happens in a sin-filled world. But instead of putting up a brick when you’re tempted, run to the throne of God and throw yourself into Jesus’ arms because He’ll never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Don’t rely on a brick when He’ll be your Rock.

Maranatha!

I am Passionately Loving Jesus, the Anchor of my soul!