May 10th, 2026
Do you have a favorite moment from the movie "The Princess Bride"?

En Garde
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.

"You are using Bonetti's defense against me, ah?" - Inigo Montoya, the Princess Bride
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.
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.
Psalm 32
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!
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!

I thought it was just me.
In the wake of the good research on self-concealment, scholars like Brene Brown have given good resources.

Pray Together

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What worked? What didn't? What will you remember and use? What still feels confusing?
Posted in On Letting Down Your Guard

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