Protection in Self Denial
A parent loves, protects and guides their child away from hurt, harm and danger and just as we do, so does the Most High our Heavenly Father. He is looking out for us even when we are not aware He is. We see this in Psalms 127: 7-8 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. In Psalms 23:4 we read Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. As a child we run to our parents when we are afraid or hurting why? For comfort, safety and to feel loved.
Prov.3: 5-6 says Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. When we are trusting of the Most High He will guide us on the correct path. Now does it mean that this path is free of all bad things? No, it doesn't. God protects us by helping us make good choices, guiding us the safest route and watching over us. He helps us to mature in the Word.
What role does self denial play in our protection?
We are cared for by our Heavenly Father but what happens when we choose to walk in a more intimate relationship with Him? What happens when we lay down our will for His, operate in restraint and humility? When we live out self denial for all that He desires its like everything the enemy tries fails because you are too close to the Most High, that's proximity at work here. The enemy can't get close to you. Think of it this way your walking down the street holding your child’s hand and a stranger approaches with ill intentions, you would lay down your own life to protect your child, right? The stranger cannot run away with your child why because of proximity and discernment you are with your child the danger has to flee from before the child because you discern the ill intention, you position yourself and the child properly to keep the child safe.
Self denial is obedience. When we are obedient trails and tribulations still come they just come for growth and true maturity in Him and not as punishment for unrighteousness.
When we live out a life of self denial the only bad things that happen to us would be for growth. I mean let's face it we are creatures of habit and when we are comfortable why would we move? So sometimes a storm will come to make us move to stop stagnation and mature us. For the one that is living out self denial the storms come and go and we mature in our walk with our Father and it deepens our reliability on Him and strengthens our trust in Him. With that said what is self denial? In what ways if any has self denial offered you more protection?