Watching a light of recognition dawn in his eyes, I breathe easy for the first time in days. Though I know we still have a long way to go in our understanding of one another’s perspectives.
Pictures from the past were drawn in varied shades and hues. Neither of us saw exactly the same image on the screens of our minds.
As streams emerging from the same Source, we had every expectation of converging together in a river of reflection. Instead, we meandered tangentially into rivulets of our own making.
Defining the barriers
How had we arrived here? Barriers were breaking and walls crumbling before our very eyes.
Conversation crept into those private places where we feared to tread. And I heeded these words, “We tend to wall off our hearts in the aftermath of pain”.
The prison we know can feel safer than freedom as its walls close round us with comforting familiarity.
After 38 years wedded and bedded, we were gradually becoming more emotionally intimate than ever before. Especially about our sexual intimacy.
While my beloved viewed our courtship and surrender to one another through seemingly rosy-tinted lenses, I saw it very differently.
Now, I need to refresh my vision and version of events. Because I have unwittingly transferred guilt from the childhood emotional and sexual abuse I’d received to my husband.
I am discovering more about how “we can live in reaction to a negative relational experience and eventually stagnate, or we can ask God to compel us forward to a kingdom goal”.
Retreating into my own worldview doesn’t help me to see or accept my husband’s. I have to dare risk being wrong or misguided at least. “When we’re hurt we tend to retreat, nurse wounds, or lash out” and I have done all three.
Moving forward
How would it look to “turn to God in praise instead?” or is that too much to ask of a heart at war with itself? Maybe. Though “eventually we have to choose to move forward”.
This marriage had been cluttered from the start. Perhaps now was the time to send past thoughts and fears packing and begin with a lighter load?
For past relational baggage “should not define us, nor should the pain from it inform the way we interact with or withdraw from others” because it “strangles our ability to live freely today”.
As I begin to embrace a fresh perspective, asking God to renew my mind by the light of His word, make a conscious choice to move forward rather than cling to familiar, He is giving me all the grace I need to see things as He sees them – and it is good.
I want to break free. I want to live an uncaged, open-hearted life. To live, love and give as God desires me to as wife and lover, mother (and grandma-to-be), friend and helper to others.
And in the process, “living without walls means becoming more proactive in the way we deal with hurt” which can only serve to aid with healing those broken places in our hearts and lives.
What happens next
So what are we to do?
With all quotes given here coming from Mary de Muth’s just released book, ‘The Wall Around Your Heart’, I will answer with her words of wisdom:
“If you have a wall firmly built around your heart, ask Jesus, the great gateway, to make a doorway through. He is the gate. He is the avenue leading toward a rich and satisfying life – not a stingy walled-off life”.
I have been greatly helped in seeing walls beginning to crumble in my own life. It’s happened since I’ve read, digested and prayed over this book and allow God access to all areas.
I am still very much a work in progress, but further forward from where I used to be. My growing awareness of these walls can be found here.
And I long for you to be set free too, my friend. A walled-in life is one of misery and a walling-off from the liberty which Christ died to give us.
“If therefore the Son makes you free, you are free indeed” ~ John 8:36
A free gift and book recommendation
Because I strongly believe in the reality of being set free in Christ, and the way Mary de Muth’s message can aid in the process of becoming free and living a life without walls, I am giving away a free copy of ‘The Wall Around Your Heart’ here.
All you have to do to be in with a chance is to leave a comment below and your name will be put into a random draw, with the winner being announced here soon after.
To find out more about why Mary wrote ‘The Wall Around Your Heart’ (speaking from her own and the experiences of others) and why she desires us to live without walls, please click here.
**NOTE** – Having been privileged to read a pre-release copy of this book and be part of its launch team, I can wholeheartedly recommend it on a personal basis.
You can buy a copy here in the UK or if you live elsewhere you can buy it here. It is also available from Barnes & Noble.
Maybe there are walls in your own life that need to come down? They could be walls of:guilt, shame, unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, resentment, or _____ (fill in the blank).
Could this be the time to co-operate with God and see those walls crumble brick by brick to release you into a more open-hearted way of life?
Linking here with Laura at Missional Women Faith Filled Friday
Words of Joy 
Dearheart, your words are always a blessing, and you have no need to fear. Your openness is precious. It's wonderful this book and its wisdom is blessing you – and how much more because you've taken the issues it raises straight to Jesus! xx
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Dear friend, you have blessed and encouraged me greatly! This was one of those 'heart in mouth' type posts we hesitate to press 'publish' for. But I sense this isn't really about me at all, but for all who may be living walled-in lives and don't know how to break free. Thank you so much, Keren, for supporting me with your lovely comment! xx
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Allowing Jesus to knock down walls is hard. I had a different image to having a wall. I realised recently that a part of my heart had died. I have recently been working on a short story about the widow of Nain and how Jesus did a resurrection miracle in her life, and her son's life, without her asking. It gave me courage to ask God to resurrect that part of my heart. He did. I know it is now living but also paralysed. Now God is working to bring movement and life in His name to that area that is paralysed. But I have confidence it will happen. Jesus is Lord of my heart and I am learning to give it to Him piece by piece. Sounds like a great book. And it is a lovely, moving post Joy. Bless you.
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Lynda, it does take courage to face up to our walls or ways in which our hearts may have grown cold. I'm so pleased you have been able to face your own problem and receive such a wonderful response from the Lord! He is the God of resurrection and restoration, and in time He will bring about the full healing you need. These things cannot be rushed. Much deep inner work takes place that we are scarcely aware of until we have eyes to see. Mary's book has been truly life-changing for me. My hope and prayer is that all who need to read and receive its powerful message will do so. Thank you for sharing your journey and insights here. Bless you Xx
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Joy,Thank you for opening your heart to share this post with us. I can see that Mary's book is not just something you let your eyes devour but something you let seep into your own life. I have to read this book. Just the things others have said about it are enough reason. Remind me to share a poem with you called Different. It had some of the same thoughts in it that you referred to when you talked about seeing different hues. Again, thanks Joy. You always give in what you write. I love that about you.
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Anne, you have hit on the fundamentals with these words, "I can see that Mary's book is not just something you let your eyes devour but something you let seep into your own life". Yes, indeed. I do hope you have opportunity to read this book. And I would love to see your poem! Please send it to me. Thank you for your perceptive comment. Blessings 🙂 x
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Hi Joy,I want to thank you sincerely for writing this post and sharing your heart with us. Mary's book sounds like a real journey and blessing to read.Breaking down those walls are painful, I know… but one of the Scriptures of hope that I hold onto is '‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ Genesis 50:20By being open and sharing your story, God's grace is proclaimed, and healing will be found.Blessings my friend.
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Anita, I love that verse! It's so life affirming and hope instilling. Much of our lives are spent reflecting on what has happened and trying to trace God's hand in it. Yes, breaking down walls is a painful business but if it brings us freedom it is worth it. I truly hope to share God's grace in my life and witness as I await further healing to come. Mary's book may be instrumental in helping that process to happen for so many.Thanks very much for sharing here. Blessings, my friend. 🙂 x
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A brave and (as always) beautifully written post Joy. Thank you for sharing so honestly, I'm so glad you have been blessed by what sounds like a book I need to read. "How Jesus heals you when others hurt you" – I should like to know x
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Kimmie, you won't regret reading this book! Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement and support. I really appreciate you. Blessings 🙂 xx
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Dearest Joy, so long to get in touch, so long to feel the comfort and the assurance of your words! This is a beautiful post, one I could have written about hiding behind walls. I, not sharing my pain for my family's tribulations, and my daughter, who for years had blinders on and pretended all was rosy. Finally the walls are coming down, only with God's help and nudging and hopefully she too, and all of us, will be free to move on to a life she deserves. The book sounds great…something to read a little later since this is an extremely busy time for me. God's blessings and love to you, sweet friend! I truly miss you!Katina
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Dear Katina, I have certainly missed your words of wisdom and creativity! It's lovely to see you here again and around the groups we frequent. I'm sorry to hear of your family situation, though it sounds as if recovery and healing are taking place – praise God! This book would be a really useful and helpful resource for you. I do hope you get an opportunity to read it.Thinking of you in your busyness. May the Lord be your strength and shelter, giving you His rest and peace at all times. Much love and prayers, my friend. Blessings 🙂 xx
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Your willingness to be so candid about your own journey may make it easier for others to begin theirs. I liked the quote you referenced: “ The prison we know can feel safer than freedom as its walls close round us with comforting familiarity." This is true. Witness the man at the Pool of Bethesda in the Gospel of John, chapter 5. He had been 38 years in a terrible state, yet when Jesus asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?", he didn't answer, “Yes!" Instead, he gave a reason (excuse) why, to his mind, he COULDN'T be made whole. Sometimes, we answer Him the same way.
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Neil, I am truly grateful if God uses my openness to encourage others to open up about their problems too and be able to find the help and healing they need. The Pool of Bethesda story has challenged me for years as I questioned exactly the same thing. God will not push us into healing or change. He is gentle, yet persistent, in His dealings with us and will wait for our willingness to allow Him to do the necessary work within us.Now a confession – the 'quote' you referenced was actually my own. I see now that coming after one from Mary and being in italics as well may have suggested otherwise. So I have taken the italics off now to (hopefully) avoid any further confusion! Thank you for drawing my attention to it.
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: ^ )
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This is such a beautiful and challenging post for someone who has spent a lifetime hiding behind walls. As you say eventually we have to choose to move forward. How hard those first steps are though. Thank you for your heart to share from your own experience with honesty and constant reminders of God's healing touch.
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Mandy, I know how hard it can be to move forward and embrace change. But if we put our hand into the hand of the One who knows us so intimately that nothing is a surprise to Him – and knows our past, present and future – we are infused with all the courage and strength we need to move forward. Walls may feel comfortable and familiar to us, yet they act as prisons where we stagnate. God's great desire is to set us free and liberate us from all that holds us captive. Each tiny step of faith we take draws us closer to His heart and to His purposes for our lives. Praying and encouraging you, dear friend, to seize the day once God shows you it is needful to do so. Blessings and love xx
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Oh, Joy, tears came to my eyes when I read this – you write so simply, so beautifully about such profound and painful things. I think it's a book I need to read, and at the same time I am sure that it won't be easy. Thank you for your courage and honesty in sharing your response to Mary's book; when someone says, 'Me too', it makes us all feel less alone. Thank you.
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Dear Helen, I agree with you that this book is a transforming one but not an easy read. I hadn't got far into it at all before being challenged. Though when God decides we need to pay attention to something, He also equips us to do so. It is a book I will turn to again and again because we may get victory over one wall then have to face up to others that hinder us too. And I totally agree about those "Me too" moments which help us to feel less isolated or alone with our problems. I do hope you have an opportunity to read Mary's book. Maybe your name will get chosen here! Blessings Xx
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Thanks for being so real Joy…beautiful post 🙂
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Thank you, Lorna! I think I am learning to be more open in the hope that others can see how things are for me and be encouraged in their own journey of life and faith. Blessings 🙂 x
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I have a psychologist friend that often reminds me that I have to stop building walls around me. She correctly observed that no one knows the real me. Your post echoes that. We are so used living in our towers – i like the view – that we forget that our husbands struggle with this. We are married for 25 years and the other day had our first real talk about us and what we both want from our marriage. I am so glad we did because for the first time, we have the marriage we should have had from the beginning and we both are happy. You opened your heart to let in the world and in the process you helped me too. Thank you.
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It is all too easy to build those walls of protection around ourselves, isn't it? Only, over time, they can harden and become very difficult to shift. It often takes another person's insight to reveal they are even there, as we can become blind to our own defence mechanisms.I am delighted to hear how you are seeing fruit from being more open with your husband. It is never too late to change how we relate to one another. Thank you, Patricia, for opening your own heart here and encouraging mine in the process! Blessings Xx
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