GUARD YOUR HEART
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
I’m sure you’ve heard this one numerous times before and so have I. However, the Word hits different when you really get an understanding of what it really means for yourself. Lately, experience has been my best teacher.
It matters what you see, what you say, what you do and what you hear because everything you do flows from your heart. I noticed this week I was disappointed. I had sat in that for a week before I could even articulate that it was disappointment that I was feeling. Honestly, I have a lot more things to be grateful for than to be disappointed about. But I allowed something I saw to seep into my mind and cause me to revisit thoughts I shouldn’t have, which resulted in my mood being altered. Ultimately, I took my eyes off of God and put them on my circumstances. Unintentionally, but I did.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 KJV
How do you guard your heart?
Unintentionally, I allowed my focus to shift. So, I had to be intentional about shifting it back. I have to be intentional about Him every day. Instead of waking up and immediately starting my day or scrolling through my phone (social media), I spend time with the Father in His Word, in prayer and reading devotionals to arm myself for the day (Ephesians 6:10-18). I can’t watch or listen to just anything. Praise and worship music is playing throughout my day and gratefulness remains on my tongue. It’s word over world and it’s working for me in this season.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
Maybe being intentional means not looking back and truly letting go of some things, places or people. Perhaps, you need a change of scenery or a renewed mindset. Whatever it is, be obedient, guard your heart and your mind. Be intentional about God but also be intentional about yourself.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7