Good morning people who have a default of protecting relationships

(Today’s BIY written by Pastor Garry Leech)

Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

As with the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith is designed to provide protection and covering. This is what we’re to do also – protect the relationship.

With the breastplate of righteousness, we talked about not uncovering people; not talking about them to others who aren’t part of the solution.

Another key here in the area of protecting our relationships is believing the best of others. In a time when people often pass a ‘guilty’ verdict without hearing all the facts, let’s be people who protect people by setting a ‘believing the best’ default. Sure, there will be things that need to be talked through, but let’s start our conversations in the right place – believing the best.

Many people are under attack; they have words fired at them like arrows fired on a battlefield. These words are sent to cut down, to undermine, to belittle and to hurt. Sometimes these words are used intentionally and sometimes they are used carelessly. Either way, these words are dangerous to relationships.

So let’s lift up the shield of faith; let’s protect those we love. Let’s follow the wisdom of the following scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

(Today’s BIY written by Pastor Garry Leech)