Rebuild Your Walls 

Jeremiah 1:18-19 “For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Have you ever wondered what a fortified city looks like? Imagine a city with high and thick walls that no matter how strong outside forces are, that city was fortified enough to feel and be protected. That city doesn’t need to react to every attack because it is fortified. I began to sift through this thought process that led me to the conclusion that a fortified city is strong enough to withstand any attack. Not because it is on the defensive, but on the offensive. 

One of my dear friends loves to tell the story of how she and I met. Our church offers Bible College courses where she and I began attending at the same time. She would joke that every time she would try to talk to me, I would grunt at her. I wish she was exaggerating, but there was 100% truth behind what she said. I was angry and bitter. I had built these high, thick walls to protect myself. I had somehow formed these walls to keep everyone out because of past hurt and trust being broken. I was constantly on the defensive.

Jeremiah 1:18-19 “For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah. They will fight you, but they will fail. For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” People are not our enemy, but the devil is. Unfortunately, he doesn’t fight fair. He will use others against you or capitalize on the pain and hurt others have caused you in the past. I was led to think about what a calm, collected, virtuous woman looked like. I thought this woman wouldn’t react to negative comments made about her. She wouldn’t allow her emotions to dictate her day. She wouldn’t escalate a situation because she has a lack of control. No, she would respond with grace, patience, compassion, and love. She would move forward in whatever God is leading her to, completely focused on what was right front of her. She would allow her Father to fight those battles that are too strong for her so she can focus on what He has positioned her over. I realized that the fortified city was me. I don’t have to react to every attack from the enemy. I don’t have to react out of my emotions because of a comment made toward me.

The walls I had built were ineffective because I was keeping out the very ones I needed to allow in. There were people who loved me, cared for me, and were positioned to help me, but I had to allow them access. God reminded me that if I am to build walls, build them to keep the enemy out, but invite people back in. He asked me to tear down the walls I have built and rebuild them with the loving, caring, and encouraging people inside these walls. If this sounds like you, I encourage you to rebuild your walls with others in. We can set appropriate boundaries, but don’t put up walls. Boundaries can change, walls cannot. We need each other, we need what God has placed inside each of us!