Walls are good. Just ask Trump.
(Actually, I’m not talking about that kind of wall.)

We all want a house with walls. Walls create distinct boundaries and separate spaces.
In ancient times, walls were built around cities to help protect them from attack. (Cue Trump again).

But sometimes, walls exist that we can’t actually see but we know are there.

These walls are not built with stone or brick or even by human hands. Instead, they are built by our thoughts. And it will take more than a bulldozer to tear it down.

Proverbs 18:19b An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.

It’s easy to build a wall in our minds. In fact, for most of us, it’s our natural default.

They didn’t say hi to me.  Brick

They think they are better than me. Brick

Why do they always like other people’s stuff on Facebook and never mine? Brick

They are always hanging out with other people and not us. Brick

They never call or text me. Brick

This happens in our marriages. This happens at work. This happens in friendships. In other words, this happens all the time.

But you’ve probably noticed that adding a brick to a wall is easier than removing it. I’ve got a couple of walls that I am trying to de-construct right now. And it isn’t easy. Everything in me wants to say that this is their issue…this is their fault.

Romans 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

The word pursue in the greek means to aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch; with all haste (“chasing” after), earnestly desiring to overtake (apprehend).

I’ve talked to people that hunt and it is a process.  They get up early.  They wear a particular type of clothing.  They purchase equipment.  They load up their car. Then, the hunter goes and finds the thing they are wanting to catch.

Did you notice that? The hunter doesn’t wait to be found by what they are pursuing…they go find it.

So, if I want to pursue peace and for the walls to come down, it’s going to require some effort on my part. Where do I even start? Lysa TerKeurst says “…find some small thing to do that negates the negativity.”

Own my part of the wall-building process.  Brick removed.

Putting down my pride. Brick removed.

Taking the first step towards them. Brick removed.

Responding in love. Brick removed.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt. Brick removed.

Praying for me, them, and our situation. Brick removed.

The wall may not come tumbling down, but as each brick is removed, we can see the other person on the other side more clearly.

From brick-layer to brick-slayer.  That wall just got trumped.

~Anu