1 John 2:6 says that those who say they believe in Jesus ~ walk just like He walked. From the moment that we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we begin a journey of sanctification. It is progressive, and we do not arrive until we meet Him face to face.

Paul described his journey as a fight of faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. He wrote those words as he was waiting for the executioner to end his life on this earth. As I read of his innumerable trials in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, I marvel that he would call them ‘light afflictions.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17.

There is another description of his life in Philippians 2:12. It says, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Verse 11 says, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Psalm 119:71 says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”

The moment we are emotionally triggered, our nervous system goes into sympathetic mode. That is our God-given mechanism when we face imminent danger. However our brain does not distinguish between real danger, or we feel emotionally vulnerable. 

Fight, flight, or freeze is instantly activated. Stress hormones are released, creating a cascade of events: heart rate and breathing increase, muscles are pumped full of adrenaline, and digestion stops.

When I suddenly react inside, I’ve learned that something hidden within me was just exposed. Ignoring our reactions is futile activity. Our inner healing depends on our acknowledging our vulnerability before the Lord. It takes humility to admit we have a problem that only He can solve.

Think of the entrance to a cave. Visibility is limited. We have no idea what might be hidden inside. We need penetrating light to expose the hidden. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

When the light of His word is deeply rooted in our heart, it is the catalyst the Holy Spirit uses to bring healing from our past hurts.

It is good to recall this about the Lord. He knows all of our thoughts before we think them. He knows the words on our tongues before we speak them. We may feel vulnerable with others, but we are totally safe with the Lord.

Are you a man pleaser? Here is my friend’s definition for emotional vulnerability. “Wanting others approval to the point you allow them to lead you and/or control you.” Do you recognize the trap?

Traps are set to ensnare the unsuspecting. Relying on ourselves for protection is the bait of satan. Isaiah 55:3 says, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live…”

We have the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. He will oppose our fleshly reactions, but we have to heed Him.

Our flesh wants its own way. Galatians 5:17 says that the Holy Spirit will fight against our flesh. I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit, each morning as you wake up, to intercept your way. Then be attentive to His promptings. For me, the minute my spirit backs up, I’m alerted.

A few days ago I had you ask yourself this question. “Are there areas in my life where I am afraid to be vulnerable?” When we react with emotional self-protection, it is usually our deflection from an area we feel vulnerable in.

Self-protection is a lie. There is only One who is able to protect us. David aptly described Him in Psalm 18:2. It says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Again he wrote in Psalm 62:2. It says, “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.”

I had many self-protective mechanisms. They were automatic reactions when I felt threatened in any way. They were reinforced once when someone hid behind my driver’s seat after dark. It was a joke for them, but a terrorizing experience for me. They popped up as I started my car. Think about your life. What triggers reactions for you?

Like in the rainforest, the tall tree roots that reach the sun feed the little lower shrubs and visa versa. In His body, each of our roots feeds the other. As we each walk in the Spirit, we grow in discernment.

I love the picture of Joseph He was falsely accused and imprisoned. He was not bitter. Genesis 39:21 says, “…He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Watch his discernment. Genesis 40:6 says, “And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad.” Their faces reflected their heart’s inner feelings.

As His body members, we have the opportunity to encourage others through how the Lord has encouraged us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 says, “Who comforts us in our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any trouble…” 

All trials are designed to try our faith as we are refined. I can share the words the Lord has given me to sustain me in mine, and you can share yours with me ~ synergistic encouragement.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 6:11 says, “…our heart is wide open . You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.” Blocked inner feelings. 

Colossians 3:12 is the antidote to heart blockages. It says, “Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Openness in interpersonal relationships is key to heart integrity.

Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 is a great description of a healthy functioning church. Verse 27 says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Think of the family unit. There is an order of authority. Colossians 2:19 says, “Not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” As we each abide in Him, we have synergistic fruit. Collectively we bear fruit that glorifies Him.

Here are a few lines from a new song. Womb Of The Morning. Your words like oil penetrate the places in my heart that were hardened through fear. You say My child don’t be afraid. I’ve been there all along to shield and protect. Let go of that which you clutch so tight. That I might fulfill the deepest longings of your heart.

Let’s visit the parable of the sower. Mark 4:13-20. There are four soils mentioned: wayside, stony, full of thorns, and good. Verse 18-19 says, “Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world…entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”

The Greek word for care means to divide the mind. Think of the things in your life: distractions, anxieties, burdens, and worries. When we bury our hurts instead of releasing them to the Lord they choke out His word. Buried emotional pain blocks fruit for His glory. We hide instead of abide. John 15:8 says, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit…”

I love Hebrews 4:13 in the Amplified. It says, “And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Hi with Whom we have to do.”

Such great news! We may think we have successfully ignored, or buried hurts from our past. However, the Lord will reveal them to us when He knows that we are ready to move forward. Mark 4:22 says, “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed…”

Kevin Prosch wrote a song called “Come To The Light.” The last lines invite us to humble ourselves because He will meet us where we are. We just have to come. Are you laden down with the cares from your past? Remember our past is only in our minds.

His embedded truth is like a warm penetrating oil. It will go in and out and through all the nooks and crannies of our heart, to loosen the soil hardened through the years of buried emotional pain. He gently removes the obstacles so we can receive His love.

The other day I received a two dollar bill in the mail. I took it with me when I went grocery shopping. I asked the clerk to see if it was real. It looked real, but I wanted to make sure before I used it. She had a discernment tool ~ a special pen.

We have the word of God, and the Holy Spirit within us to train us in the skill of discernment. When God’s truths are hidden in our heart, they will rise up like a sentinel to warn us when we are presented with a deceptive lure.

There is another aspect of discernment that the Holy Spirit pointed out to me. If there is anything hidden in our hearts, it discerns His light when it is shined on it and hides deeper. My first book has a chapter called, “Concealed Rage.”

Hurts, misunderstandings, offenses, bitterness, rejection, etc. are often stuffed in order to cope with life. Buried emotional pain has a built in trigger of self-protection. Ask yourself, “Are there areas in my life where I am afraid to be vulnerable?”

We are not born with discernment. It has to be learned through practice. When I was young I had to practice piano. My half hour was like torture. However, playing scales over and over developed a skill.

Hebrews 5:14 was written about mature believers. It says, “But solid food belongs to those of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Discernment distinguishes between what is right or wrong, real or counterfeit, safe or dangerous. Things may look the same because the difference is subtle. Think of King Solomon. He was faced with the testimony of two women. How did he ferret out the truth? Through wisdom and discernment. 1 Kings 3:16-28.

He taught his sons. Proverbs 2 are words we can live by. We lay the groundwork for discernment by walking in the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. Verse 3 and 5 says, “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding….Then you will understand the fear of the Lord…”