I remember watching the movie, “The Body Guard.” As a teen I dreamed of having a voice like Whitney Houston’s and a Knight in Shining Armor like Kevin Costner. So, when this movie came along? I mean, in 1992, what girl didn’t feel the pitter-patter of her heart as she leaned in close watching these two icons come together? The mystery, the self-sacrifice, the guarded love story …
An epic tale of a Knight in Shining Armor!
This movie, like many others before and after it, resonated with the world because indifferent to our background, independence, or tough-guy mentality, at our core, God created us with vulnerability and a yearning to trust.
It’s a part of our human condition reminding us we are small and the world big. That there is much we cannot control. It draws us toward safety and toward those Knights in Shining Armor.
But the draw is not toward just any Knight. It’s the one that pledges to protect our all – body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit.
Trust
We search for the ultimate guard. The ultimate protector and trustworthy one. Why? Because we are wired with a yearning for it. A yearning to let go of pretense and of the walls we have firmly planted around ourselves.
As each person comes into our lives, we begin the dance. The opening of our hearts and the sharing of what’s underneath the surface. Then, as we get more comfortable, we place upon their not-so-wide shoulders, the role, and responsibility of protector. Guard.
It’s a role for which they’ve never asked nor for which they are equipped. What we yearn for is an unrealistic expectation they can never fulfill.
Parents do the best with what they have, yet they fail somehow to protect us. Their failure leaves us thinking, “I am not valuable.”
A friend lacking experience in making tough choices chooses ease over loyalty. The betrayal stings and our hearts grieve. Rejection finds its place within us and we wonder, “Do I even matter?”
Our spouse falls into sin or simply doesn’t step up the way we think they should. The hurt overwhelms turning our world upside down. We wonder, “Why wasn’t I enough?”
You see, in all the world there is not a person capable of wholly filling that hole in our heart. The role of protector.
We are each uniquely broken, falling short of perfection. And imperfect people do not make perfect protectors.
Imperfect people do not make perfect protectors #guardedbyChrist #MomentsofHope #identity #ChosenandWorthy Click To TweetHere’s the truth.
That vulnerability and yearning for a safe place into which we can lean and trust? It’s our souls cry for the God who created us. And He alone is the only One who can fulfill it.
By Him alone, we are guarded.
Knowing, embracing, and living out this truth gives us the security to live free and allows us to be in healthy relationship with others. It frees us from the burden of unrealistic expectations.
I have had the opportunity to read and review a copy of Heather Holleman’s, Guarded by Christ: Knowing the God Who Rescues and Keeps Us. In it, she says, “The first and arguably most important facet of His guarding care is that we’re protected by Christ’s righteousness at all times. We’re clothed in it. We’re completely covered by it.”
When we realize that not only are our physical selves protected by God, but the deepest place within our souls is protected as well, we change how we live. It brings peace not only to our relationships but in how we function in the world. We find freedom from things like fear, anxiety, bitterness, anger, self-condemnation, self-affliction, insecurity, and hopelessness.
God doesn't just guard my physical self. He guards everything within me #GuardedbyChrist #identity #ChosenandWorthy @MoodyPublishers Click To TweetIf you long to trust God and live free, Guarded by Christ is a book you need to read. (Find out more here!) It is a study that will help you live by:
Righteousness instead of condemnation
Peace instead of anxiety
Hope instead of despair
The Holy Spirit’s power instead of self-effort
A crucified life instead of a self-important one
As I read this study, I went wild with my pen! Underlining, starring, and highlighting paragraph after paragraph. As you know, I’ve done a lot of work on identity. It’s at the heart of the message of hope I share here in this space and the heart of my new series #ChosenandWorthy.
But this book brought with it something new. A fresh way of looking at living in our true identity.
At living free and victorious.
A tool for escaping condemnation, guilt, and shame. The very things that hold us back from living out of our full worth. It was in these words I caught my breath and felt the guarding. I felt the hedge of protection not just around my physical self, but around my soul.
“I’m dragging myself out of bed, and before my toes hit the worn carpet, I feel the weight of the day on my soul. I feel the creeping power of shame and guilt begin their encircling strangle. But I remember the words that parade in alliterative beauty across the landscape of my mind.
I’m confident before God and not condemned.
Also, I’m catapulting into the presence of a God who is captivated by me.
Additionally, I’m not conforming to rules. I’m covered by righteousness.
I recall the words and then Jesus. Immediately, He encloses my heart and soul in a guarding embrace. I’ve generated the soul fortress anew with the first piece of critical data: I’m not condemned. I’m confident. I’m catapulting myself into His arms. You can say this, too.
And we can begin the day as a new person.“
You all know how much I like giving things away. Especially things that point to Jesus and change lives. So I am excited to tell you that Moody Publishers is graciously offering to send one of my readers a copy of Guarded by Christ! To enter to win, simply use the Rafflecopter below ?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Week’s Featured Hope
Cassidy’s story is one of a debilitating unknown chronic illness. Many of you can relate to chronic illness. And others of you can relate to the endless pummeling of pain in this life. Each of us bears the scars of our unique stories. In this week’s featured post, Cassidy gives us 6 Things I’ve Learned in 6 Years of Illness. In it, she gifts us with insight into the grasping of His guarding. Into an identity not defined by circumstances, but an identity reflected in the image of Christ. May her words offer you hope … (And when you visit Cassidy, make sure to give her some #MomentsofHope love!)
Trusting God #GuardedbyChrist #Giveaway Join us at #MomentsofHope #LinkUp #ChosenandWorthy Click To Tweet
Want more of #ChosenandWorthy? Find it here! Don’t miss any posts and get access to the Library of Hope here!
#MomentsofHope Link-Up
NEW NEW NEW – Featured here at #MomentsofHope?Grab the new Happily Featured button! Just stop by the #MomentsofHope page in the menu above or here to find it!
Thank you so much for joining me each week in this place where we share and soak HOPE! Your hearts are a gift to me.?
What I ask of you:
1. Share up to 2 URLs (to a blog post, not the actual blog) that resonates with the topic of HOPE. Anything that gives us hope for tomorrow. Hope for victory. The little things and the big. Anything that inspires us to lean into Jesus and let Him carry us through.
2. Important: If you don’t have a blog post or podcast that resonates with HOPE, join in other ways as you pray and encourage others with a comment or a prayer.
3. Please leave a comment on the link just before each of your links. Would you love them well? Encourage them in their efforts to share the hope of Jesus. If you have time, stop by more than one sweet writer’s little corner of the blog world!
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Hi Lori,
God has been putting this theme of identity on my heart lately–identity, hope, and that we are called by Him, by name. When He started, I didn’t yet know I’d be speaking on the topic of identity in March, but now I know it was in preparation. I just love how He works! I had not heard of this book until I read your post today. Sounds like one I should add to my to-read list.
Have a great week!
Laura
Hi Laura,
You are talking the themes that make my heart burst with passion! Hope and identity! It’s so critical to how we function in the world and it breaks my heart to see soooooo many people struggle profoundly with it. I will be praying that as you speak, God moves through your words to minister to the hearts of many who need to grasp their full worth!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. We were reading Romans 8 as part of the church service yesterday, and it stood out to me over and over again how we are not condemned in Christ Jesus, that even if the devil tries to condemn us with his lies he can not, because Christ has taken the condemnation. So so thankful. I haven’t been here in too long (also, I was wondering if I can have you on my podcast I just started a few weeks ago? You can email me if you are able!)
Hi Emily,
Yes! Jesus went in place of us to take the condemnation so I we need to do is speak that Truth in the face of the enemy’s lies! I’m so glad to see you back here this week ♥ Yes, I’d love to do your podcast! I’ll message you!
Such a blessing to be reminded (on the Monday morning after school vacation, especially!) that our Savior is also our Hero who guards and rescues!
Monday mornings are sometimes exhausting, aren’t they? And amen! Our Savior is truly our greatest Hero! Thanks, Michele ♥
Lori, this is an excellent book review, and I’m addin it to my list. This yearning for a safe place and a place to live out our full worth in complete trust is so real and powerful in each of us. I’m so grateful for this promise and the hope that comes in exchanging our guilt and shame for the freeing truth and protection of all Christ did for me!
Oh, Crystal, I think you would love it! And Amen to exchanging our guilt and shame for the freeing truth and protection of all Christ did for us!
Hugs,
Lori
Lori – This looks like fantastic book. When you mentioned that you went wild with your pen, I was convinced. Trust is a topic I think many struggle with. Knowing God is trustworthy has carried me through some dark moments.
Ha! Yes, the books I love are filled with circles, underlines, stars, and notes! 🙂 It really is a fantastic book! I agree, trust is hard to embrace. It’s in making that head knowledge be heart knowledge.
Seated With Christ was amazing … I can only imagine just how lovely this book is too! Thanks for sharing!
I keep hearing so many great things about “Seated with Christ”! I’m going to have to read it! Thanks for stopping by, Lauren!
I remember seeing The Body Guard also. Ah, Kevin Costner was dreamy. ha. So grateful that Christ is the perfect protector for us in every way! Guarded by Christ sounds like a marvelous book. Thanks for sharing it with us, Lori.
Yes! Someone else who gets my teenage crush on Kevin Costner! 🙂 🙂 It’s such a good book and study, Lisa! I hope you get the chance to read it!
This book looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing, it is going on my to read list.
This book looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing, it is going on my to read list.
It’s so good! I hope you get the chance to read it, Kira!
I so enjoy her study, “Seated With Christ”. This sounds like another wonderful book. Thank you for the opportunity!
cI never got a chance to read “Seated with Christ”! I may have to check that out, too! Thanks, Joanne!
Lori,
The book and study look like a worthy pursuit of time, and the topic is one that has been on my radar lately ” keeping God”. Thank you for suggesting this and for sharing your insights from your reading. My husband asked me the other day why I have a pen, a notebook, and a highlighter when I am reading. I said, of course I have to take notes!! 😉
I am heading over to read Cassidy’s post next, thank you for sharing her words with us.
Blessings,
Dawn
I had to laugh at your husband’s response, Dawn 🙂 My husband doesn’t get it at all either. Anything in the world of reading, writing, and studying for enjoyment befuddles him 🙂 Thanks for making me smile today!
Hi, dear Lori! This book sounds so good. I long to catapult myself into Jesus’ arms, to trust Him with all my heart, and to be free from all the chains of shame, insecurity, and self-condemnation. Thank you for these encouraging words, my friend. Love and hugs to you!
I’m praying a day comes where you will do just that, my sweet friend! ♥
Living guarded by Christ…if I had this at the top of my mind daily, I would feel far less afraid and more inspired to take leaps of faith. Thanks for hosting this giveaway, Lori!
I agree, Sarah! If we could envision it every single time we sense the hesitation, right?
Lori- I love this post! My word for this year is trusting in God, so it spoke to me. I’m definitely going to check out Heather’s book!
Hugs!
Hi Julie,
It’s such a good study! I know you would love it!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
I love this concept of living guarded by Christ. Just this morning I was thinking of several of my favorite verses in Psalms that tell us God is our shield….This seems to go right along with that. After reading this review I am really wanting to read the book! Thank you for sharing, Lori!
It’s an awesome one, Leslie!
Hi, Lori!
I visited your Facebook page and scrolled all the way down into January. My son was a Micheline baby, too. We joked about him being a sumo wrestler. 🙂
He also has that empathy and compassion going, so I can relate on that level as well.
I hope and pray that he will be steadfast follower of Christ for his whole life. Writing is not his thing, so I have not had the pleasure of reading such an amazing post of spiritual warfare from him like you have from your son. Bravo and Congratulations to your son! Well done! Keep up the good work, both of you! 🙂
May God continue to bless you today and always.
Your post and this book sounds like something I’d be highlighting (if I could do that here on your blog, but definitely in that book) and nodding my head the entire time I’m reading! Thanks for reminding us of the best way to view our husbands, not to mention others that we sometimes make our “guards” in life. Christ is the one One who deserves that position or can fully keep us safe. Hugs to you, Lori!
Sounds like a really great book to read Lori! And I love how you reviewed it giving us pointers to what we would learn from it. Thanks for sharing and do have a super blessed day!
Love