Protector

[pruh-tek-ter] noun a person that protects; defender; guardian

I was born and raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma with four siblings by a single mother. I didn’t have the luxury of having my father in the home to provide a sense of safety and protection. Although I had a great upbringing and was blessed with a mother who worked hard to raise five children on her own, there was still a void in my life because of my father’s absence in the home. I vowed that when I grew up and had children, they would never experience growing up without the love and protection of their father in the home.

I strongly believe as men, we should be the first line of defense against any intruder, antagonist or adversary that would try to sabotage our marriages, families and our homes. As the head of the household, you are the lion of your pride and you must be willing to protect your domain at all cost. Leave nothing to chance. As the protector, it is your obligation to gird, guard and guide your family under the leading of the Holy Spirit. As fathers, this means protecting our children from outside influences such as what they watch on television, social media and friendships that could hinder their spiritual growth and well being. So what if your child feels like you’re being nosey, intrusive or overbearing—check their smartphones, tablets or laptops anyway to make sure they are not being persuaded by pornography, predators or any other evil propaganda, etc. Leave nothing to chance! As husbands, this means making every effort to make our wives feel safe and secure. Not just within the confines of our home, but also within the deep crevices of their heart. We do this by choosing our words wisely and being conscious of our tone, which is important in creating a sense of security for not only her, but our children also. Remember that God placed your family under your care and supervision. It is your obligation and assignment as the protector to make sure they are guarded from not only physical threats, but spiritual threats as well. This is why it is imperative that you remove any distractions or hindrances in your life that could compromise your ability to protect your family.

The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “be sober and watchful because the enemy (the devil) prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” It is easy to get sidetracked and lose focus, but we have to stay on guard because if the devil can find a way to disarm or dismantle the man (protector), the whole household is at risk of being attacked.

Call to Action: Make intentional time for reading God’s word and spending time in prayer everyday. Create a safe environment for your wife and children to share their fears, dreams and goals with you. Encourage them in the areas of their weakness and affirm their strengths. Make them feel safe.

Prayer: God, as a man I want to represent (re-present) You in my family, in my home and my community. Give me the bold tenacity to stand up against any evil that would try to infiltrate my household and destroy my family. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit so that I can be the husband, father and protector You have called me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.