Let’s talk PROTECTION! So at the core, I believe all men are responsible for performing the 3 Ps. Every man is supposed to be a PROTECTOR, PROVIDER, and PRIEST for their family. The “P” I want to focus on today is PROTECTOR. As men, one of our biological instincts is to protect our loved ones, and normally when we think of protecting our family we think about protecting them from physical harm and danger. Today, I aim to go beyond that and emphasize the importance of safeguarding our family from risks that extend beyond mere physical perils. We also need to provide protection from spiritual, emotional, mental, and even financial threats.
Physical protection
Physical protection. This is the usual way we think of protecting our family whenever we think of protection.
A man of God is willing to protect his family from physical harm and danger by any means necessary and is willing to live for them and die for them as Christ did for us.
As the man of the house, there is a wide range of ways we could and should protect our family from physical harm and danger. We should be taking proactive measures like making sure doors in the home are locked, and alarms are installed. We should also be equipping ourselves with the necessary training and equipment to protect. We should know how to do CPR and have emergency measures in place in case of a natural emergency.
In addition to safeguarding their physical well-being, it is important to take appropriate measures to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and environment for ourselves and our families. While we may focus on external protection, it is equally crucial to consider our internal well-being and the physical health of our loved ones. One way we can ensure this is by prioritizing the nutritional needs of our family. Ensuring proper nutrition for ourselves and our loved ones is crucial. It’s essential to prioritize scheduling and attending regular check-ups with doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals to maintain overall well-being.
By now you get the point. People protect what is most valuable and important to them. Our families are worth protecting and as men, we should be willing to do whatever is necessary to protect them. It is important to note. Protecting your family does not mean senseless retaliation that puts them in a situation where you are no longer able to protect them. When protecting, be guided by God to make sure the right decision is being made.
Spiritual protection
This is probably the most important way we can protect our family. A lot of the battles we may have to fight as men are the ones we are not able to see. The spiritual realm is real and the devil, his helpers, and negative energies would destroy our families at any opportunity. Our job is to be on the frontlines protecting our families against such threats. Tony Evans once said “ A kingdom man is the kind of man that when his feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, “ oh crap, he’s up!”.
To me, that means every single day you are alive the devil has to be shaking in his boots because you are so connected to God and so connected to your family. You ought to be praying for your family every single day asking God to protect them and cover them. You should be reading God’s word every day, strengthening yourself, and keeping your mind sharp because the easiest way to your family is to get you out the way.
Maintaining strong connections and effective communication within your family holds immense significance. It allows you to identify the spiritual vulnerabilities of your loved ones, enabling you to offer prayers and support for their growth in those aspects. Additionally, cultivating self-awareness is vital as it empowers you to pray for your own areas of vulnerability and personal development.
We will never be perfect and there will be days where we are down and spiritually discouraged. That’s why it’s important to surround ourselves with other men who are willing to stand with us, pray with us, and talk with us.
Emotional protection
Protection from emotional threats can look like a number of things. There is an old saying that I heard a lot as a kid. It goes “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words could never hurt me.” That’s CAP (Not True). The words uttered by us, by strangers and family members could cause more emotional damage than we know. Proverbs 18:21 says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Indeed, while words may not possess the ability to physically fracture bones or cause physical harm, their impact can be profound. Such words have the potential to deeply wound the hearts of others and linger relentlessly in their thoughts, leading to enduring emotional distress without a discernible end. We have to watch our words because the things we say can cause emotional distress to the people that love us most, and look to us most for uplifting and positive influence.
We can also cause emotional harm through our actions. As a father and a husband, our actions should align with what God expects of a father and husband. So I ask, Are we cheating, and lying to our spouse causing emotional distress? Are we saying one thing and doing the total opposite, breaking promises to our family? Most importantly, are we showing that they come first in our lives? Our actions are important because when aligned with God, we have the power to create emotional security for the family.
Mental protection
With all the mental illness discussions we are having more often these days, we should understand how serious one’s mental health is. Don’t think for one minute the devil wouldn’t go after your family’s mental state, even your own mental state to ensure destruction occurs. God and Therapy are how you protect your mental health and your family’s mental health.
There are little things you can look out for in your family’s behavior that can make you get a better understanding of what you can do to protect their mental health. For example, with social media, connecting with others is so much easier, but it is even easier to compare yourself to others until you are anxious and depressed. If you know yourself, your spouse, or your kids have this problem, try and get involved, inform them, and help them set boundaries to protect their mental health. Spending time getting to know their triggers is a great way to proactively protect them from mental breakdowns.
The devil is going to lie to you and your family. Get in their heads and give them a false identity of who they are. It’s up to you to speak life into them and remind them who they are when those negative thoughts start filling their minds.
Financial protection
While we all want to get to the bag, we also have to protect the bag. Financial Protection. Proverbs 13:22 says “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children”. The only way you can do that is to put things in place to protect your family from financial ruin.
A little background about me, I come from the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago. My mother and father both never attended college and worked regular jobs to provide for their children. I definitely was not in poverty but I did live in a third-world country and was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I didn’t learn very much about financial literacy and protecting the bag. While there were conversations about saving money and spending less, there were not many conversations about investing, diversifying, or even ownership.
Do you want to provide financial protection for your family? Your very first step is to become financially literate. The second most valuable thing you could do is teach your spouse and kids. The third most valuable thing you could do is put different things in place to ensure financial security.
It’s okay if it wasn’t taught to you and you are starting from scratch. Start learning! Take courses, do research, talk to people who have it figured out, listen to podcasts (Earn Your Leisure is a good one), and start educating yourself and your family so you can provide financial protection. You can make all the money in the world and leave it for your family, but if you don’t teach them about money, how it works, how to keep it and make more money, then you will be doing them a disservice and only protecting them for a short time.
I want to emphasize that securing your finances is not limited to times of physical strength or earthly existence. It is a practice that can be pursued during old age or even when one’s journey in this life comes to an end as ordained by God. Investments can be a blessing for generations to come and there are things like life insurance (everyone should have), Living trusts, Wills, and other strategies that are proven to provide financial security even when you are no longer physically able-bodied or alive.
So What’s your HEART like king? Will you ensure protection across all five pillars or leave your family exposed in one of them? The decision lies with you. Hopefully, this prompts contemplation as it did for me. I am aware of my own vulnerabilities and intend to address them. What about you? I strongly recommend taking action and seizing the opportunity!
Why did I write on this topic?
Fathers and husbands are there to protect their families and I know we automatically think about physical protection. I just wanted to get us thinking about other ways we need to be protecting as well. Five different ways we ought to provide protection! I know that sounds like a lot and I think it’s a lot too. To take on such a task, we are going to need to lean on God. Every day I am praying for guidance, and today I pray that as you read this, you are given direction on how you can protect your family entirely.
Do you have any suggestions to share with other men on the role of protector? Share them below!
The little Engineer that could! Ryian Williams, wears multiple hats as a husband, father, author, speaker, and engineer. Driven by his enthusiasm for coaching and uplifting men, he has embraced the lifelong mission of guiding men toward becoming the most authentic versions of themselves
Great read! Definitely had some valid points
Thank you for the response! Any tips from a financial aspect?