Do you have a favorite moment from the movie "The Princess Bride"?

Every guarded person has a reason: a wound, a rejection, a moment (or series of them) when being known turned out to be dangerous. This leads to managing what people could see - and for a while, it feels like protection. The problem is, these defenses don't just keep things out.  They keep you in. What started as a shelter becomes a cell, and the loneliness we were trying to avoid moves in with us.

Now that you've answered the Icebreaker, here's another question - this one, about fencing.

Hopefully that makes enough sense to get you started. As you continue into the Worship portion of the Spotlight, pray this prayer together:

Lord,
We tend to go on defense
because we live in a world that can be harmful. 
Protect us from those who would attack us,
but when we do suffer at the hands of others
help us to find and turn toward those who would help us
so that we do not find ourselves
locked in by our own defenses.
Amen.

1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.[b]
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Since the publication of the self-concealment study in 1990, which mostly highlighted the down-sides of self-concealment, the area of psychology has progressed to start to understand the positive alternatives.

Interestingly, the description of an "armored-up" life in the video above is quite similar to the way David was feeling as he describes himself in Psalm 32. The hiding keeps us from experiencing much-needed things.

Here's a quote from author Brenè Brown (whose voice you heard in that video) that offers a challenge and opportunity: 

As a group, identify ways that you may be, even unwittingly, contributing to the cultural narrative that it is better to hide or "self-conceal" than it is to embrace vulnerability. This image, adapted from notes on Brenè Brown's book "The Gifts of Imperfection" may help you start to talk about it. 

You've completed the Spotlight Series Approval is Passing. Thank you!
What worked? What didn't? What will you remember and use? What still feels confusing?