You have a few choices:

1. Put the guitar in a museum style glass case.

2. Do what you are doing, dreading the day.

3. Whack it with a blunt instrument and be done with it - the ding will have arrived.

I have a few guitars, but almost always play a Collings 000-2H. I really love this guitar, but a few years ago, I decided that ti si the guitar I use to make my best music and I should play it. I have managed to knock off most of those pesky sharp edges, taken a few divots out of the tip, and now I even tape the gig list to it! All that does not affect the sound though. While it is a nice guitar, and I may never have a spare $3000 to replace it, the fact of the matter is that it IS replaceable.

So, my bottom line advice is: Do whatever you want - just play the MArtin at home, etc, or play it out. Don't worry about your decision one way or the other.

dw