by Leigh Ellen Eades
Guest Contributor

Each fall just before the temperature turns cold and the leaves fall to the ground my husband used to park his lawnmower on the backside of our house and cover it with a tarp. He would secure the tarp with cords to protect the lawnmower from the harsh snow and winds of winter.

Even though he now parks it in our garage, he is diligent to protect his lawnmower, because he knows he’ll need it again when spring rolls around. If he doesn’t take measures to protect it through the winter, he will encounter greater problems when the spring grass begins to grow again.

God’s Word also speaks of protection…

It (love) always protects
1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV

As Christians, love is the basis for all we do. When God gave us the command to love others, He also intended for us to protect one another.

Throughout scripture we see God, the great protector, protecting His children.

In Exodus 2, He protected baby Moses from death after Pharaoh ordered all baby boys to be killed. Moses’ mom, seeing he was no ordinary child, placed him inside a papyrus basket along the banks of the Nile River when he was only three months old. Shortly later, he was discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter and He went on to live in the palace and eventually become a leader of the Israelites.

In Daniel 3, God protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the flames of a fiery furnace. Though the furnace was heated seven times hotter than normal, they walked out of the flames because of God’s protection.

In the book of Esther, God protected the Jews through the courage of Esther when Haman had ordered all Jews to be executed.

God is love, and all throughout scripture we see His love through the protection He gives.

As Christ’s followers, it is our job to diligently protect others, as well. It’s what love does. There are times when protecting someone is easy, but then there are times when protecting another stretches us.

For instance, when my son is approaching danger, I jump into action to protect him. I don’t think twice; his protection is my priority. But what about when I hear someone talking about another individual. How quick am I to protect them? Do I jump into action or do I slink back?

Maybe you’ve been the recipient of someone’s hurtful words or actions. Lashing back at them or talking about them to another individual would be natural responses, but love is supernatural and love protects. This means, you and I choose to remember that there is likely something deep beneath the surface motivating this person to act or speak in the way they did, and so we choose to pray and protect rather than take it personal.

Love covers over a multitude of sins
1 Peter 4:8 NIV

When we choose to pray and protect rather than react and rehash, we are covering over the sins of another.

This is exactly what Jesus did for you and me when He went to the cross for ours sins. Long before remorse filled our hearts over the sins we had committed, Jesus choose to bear the cross to protect us from eternal agony.

So, the next time something difficult arises in our marriage, workplace, church or relationships will we choose to pray and protect or will we react and rehash?

Just like my husband chooses to protect his lawnmower so that it will last for many years, so you and I must do the hard work of protecting others to live out God’s love in its truest form.

Heavenly Father, Your love is the greatest love of all. Thank you for loving and protecting us through every season of our lives, especially those seasons when we are a little more difficult. Whenever we face something difficult in our relationships, help us remember to pray and protect rather than react and rehash. In Jesus Name, Amen.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. Remembering the grace we’ve been given helps us to pray and protect when we’d rather
react and rehash. Can you think of a time when someone extended such grace to you?
2. When something crosses you, are you more likely to pray and protect or react and rehash?
3. What will you do to help you remember to pray and protect rather than react and rehash in
the future?
4. How can we pray for you?

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Leigh Ellen Eades is a writer, but more so a friend. Her mission is to encourage women who are weary and wounded with the promises of God. She desires to help women develop a deeper relationship with
God so they can live confident, victorious lives. She’s passionate about her family, treasures coffee with friends and relishes quiet moments reading a book.
You can connect with Leigh Ellen on Facebook, Twitter or her blog, Raising An Arrow