When You Need Emotional Shelter - Encouragement for Today - August 11, 2025
When You Need Emotional Shelter
LYNN COWELL
Lee en español
“‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.’” John 12:7 (NIV)
An old hurt surfaced as I read John 12:7a: “‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied.” I wished someone had defended me like that.
In John 12:1-8, Jesus traveled to Bethany to visit His friends. While they ate together, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, wiping them with her hair. Although Mary was innocent in her unique expression of honoring Jesus, she was verbally attacked by one who was not. Judas accused her, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?” (John 12:5a, NIV).
In Mary’s vulnerable state, kneeling at the feet of Jesus, Judas attempted to inflict pain and shame on her. Jesus didn’t let it pass, coming to her defense: “‘Leave her alone,’ Jesus replied. ‘It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial’” (John 12:7).
When I read Jesus’ words of protection for Mary, it stirred up a childhood wound inflicted on me by a neighbor boy. In my pain and shame, I wished someone had known, come to my defense, and said, “Leave her alone.”
This wounding is sadly common, especially for women. And abuse opens the doors for the enemy to teach us lies about ourselves, our world, and our God. These life experiences and false beliefs impact our identity. Seeing ourselves as broken, damaged, or as “easy targets” can persist for decades.
Would you be willing to join me in an exercise I did while reading Jesus’ words? Find a quiet, private place; take a deep breath; and with your eyes closed, think of a painful moment in your life. Picture Jesus coming to your rescue, entering the space, and commanding, “Leave her alone” (John 12:7). Let those words sink in. Soak up the love, protection, and power of God Almighty, your advocate. I’d never done an exercise like this before, but as I lingered in the loving presence of Jesus, I experienced His peace.
Painful encounters with strangers, friends, or family damage our confidence and can negatively impact our relationship with God. But our loving heavenly Father wants to restore our ability to trust and believe in His protection.
Perhaps Mary recognized Judas' attack was designed to shame her. But she knew she was loved and safe in Jesus’ shelter. In the next chapter of his Gospel account, John wrote this about Jesus: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1c, NIV). Mary knew Jesus’ love was true. She heard comfort in Jesus’ words; she saw compassion in His actions. Her heart was convinced, and when a heart is fully convinced that it is loved, then strength, security, and confidence can enter, providing lasting healing.
Jesus, thank You for making healing possible for me. Give me the courage to seek the additional help I may need as I continue to trust You with my brokenness. Thank You for being my shelter. Heal my memories and the wounds I’m carrying today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Do you know a young woman who has misconceptions of her heavenly Father because of an experience of trauma or neglect? These wounds can be even deeper when they involve earthly fathers. You can help her by gifting her Michelle Nietert and Lynn Cowell’s book Strong and Secure: 100 Devotions for Young Women. Get your copy here!
ENGAGE
Many of us have wounds from our past and sometimes from our parents. It can be easy to transfer these parental pains into our relationship with our heavenly Father. But the truth is: God is a perfect Father. That’s why Lynn Cowell created a new, free resource for you: “5 Steps to Move Toward Emotional Wholeness.” You’ll learn how to trust in our heavenly Father’s love more fully. It’s also a great resource for the young women in your life. Click here to download today!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (NIV).
The enemy does not have the right or the power to steal from us what Jesus has already died to give us: freedom and healing.
Pause for a moment to thank God for being a good, faithful Father. Listen to a song that speaks of His peace and protection (find Lynn’s Spotify playlist called “Strong and Secure” here!). Praise God for His greatness.
We’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts in the comments!
© 2025 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
