When we speak of people “putting their shields up,” we usually mean they’ve emotionally closed themselves off to avoid being rejected and hurt. But the shield of faith mentioned in Ephesians 6:16 won’t isolate you from life. Both it and the sword of the Spirit are extensions of your relationship with Jesus. They keep you connected to him and how he sees the world around you, even when you’re getting nasty pointy things thrown at you by people you love.
No, that’s not always easy. But it’s always good. Let the truth that God knows and loves the real you, regardless of the faults and failures, be an impenetrable shield against every lie, rejection, and condemnation fired at you. Let those curses fall to the ground, so you can love people with a truly free heart. This holiday season, be intentional with raising your shield in love, so you can raise your glass in joy.
Equip Your Spirit 
Your posts always bless me but this one really came at the perfect time. š šÆ