Bubble-Wrap People

My kids love it. Well, for that matter, so do I. I hope to encounter some of it this Christmas and I will likely hide it for my own pleasure. Taking it in hand and twisting it with all my might, I plan to experience sheer delight at the loud pop-pop-pop-pop that will scare my dogs and annoy my sweet little wife. You know what I’m talking about – Bubble Wrap! I’m a middle-aged man and I’ve not outgrown it yet. Why do we use bubble-wrap? To insulate fragile things from potential damage. It makes complete sense for valuable items that are susceptible to cracking, shattering or fragmenting while in transit. I’m a big proponent of the stuff as it puts the F-U-N in functional.

Yet I’ve come across a lot of bubble-wrapped people that are not so enjoyable. I spot them easily because I used to be one.

“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10 {ESV}

We have all been hurt.  Most of us have deeply hurt by others at some point along the way.  When the wounds come frequently and run jaggedly we develop some self-protective measures that become an ingrained part of our personality and approach to life.  If the wrongs done to us are not met with forgiveness and grace from our hearts, 10 times out of 10 we become embittered.  There are no exceptions to the rule: unforgiveness always results in some level of bitterness.  When this occurs we learn to trick ourselves into believing there is always another round of hurts coming around the corner and heading our way.  It is at this point that we begin to insulate ourselves from the potential of cracking, shattering or fragmenting.  We wrap up in one layer after another of relational bubble wrap.  Distance occurs…fear attaches…suspicion links in…intimacy dries up…friendships weaken…isolation finds us.  It doesn’t always happen at once and it usually isn’t dramatic but bitterness is a sneaky poison and it never results in spiritual or relational health.

Grace from God and trust in His love for you will bust the bubble wrap.  It leaves you a little vulnerable again…but it sets you free from the trap of the wrap.  There’s no getting around it:  we have to forgive…everyone.  This is the missing piece of the puzzle for so many who have lost their joy and peace.

I consider myself an expert on bitterness because it was the predominant characteristic of my life for a very long time.  God delivered me from the stronghold and continues to keep me from running back to its offer of protective shade…a very dark shade with room for only one at a time.  At this time of year we do well to remember what Christ did in order to make us free and alive.  He refused to stay in Heaven’s safety and came to a very dark earth where His love and mercy was met with rejection, accusation and murder.  When He rose from the dead He went back to the very people who had rejected Him and made them the offer of eternal love and forgiveness.  He tells us to do the exact same thing with those who lend us bruises.  Friends, this is no easy task…but it is good.  Amazingly, God calls us to do this for our own benefit.  He wants to be our protector and He does this by His constant presence.  He does not always keep every hurt away but He will never allow permanent harm to find you.  The bubble-wrap that we fashion around our lives may serve to keep us from the damage that others send our way – but this same self-protection serves as a barrier from intimacy with the One who saves us and shepherds us.  You cannot have closeness with Christ while holding onto bitterness against others.  Give yourself a Christmas gift this month – send forgiveness wherever it is needed and experience the thrill of hearing the pop-pop-pop-pop of the bubble-wrap around your heart.