The Hard Shell

Woman: It was so hard for me to learn to let my guard down. It was like I had this shell. I acted nice and polite, but people didn’t know the real me.

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth: I think that one of the reasons so many people live with chronic loneliness is that they’re not willing to die. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). Of course, He was talking about His own death and resurrection. But in these words, I think we can also learn something about our relationships.

If we’re constantly trying to protect our pride, we’re going to be lonely. When we hold tight to the hard, outer shell called self, no one can get close. But the true path to intimacy is humility. It means dying to our own reputation, rights, and ways of doing things.

The willingness to humble yourself will transform your relationships with others.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.