Guard Your Heart
(Inspired by the devotions of Chris Tiegreen)
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life – Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
We often think about guarding our hearts by ensuring we don’t engage in certain behaviors or allow negative influences to penetrate us. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, just consider for a moment the energy expended avoiding the negative versus cultivating the more positive. When we focus on the former, we may find ourselves always fearing and anticipating the worst. And ultimately, fear continually nurtured becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I know this may go against the grain of how some of us were taught or raised. Or perhaps the “Don’ts” (sins and weights) were always clear and the “Do’s” less clear. The Bible reminds us to shift our way of thinking so that we protect our hearts by keeping good things in rather than focusing on keeping bad things out.
Philippians 4:8 admonishes, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” And Psalm 119:11 encourages, “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
Let’s not waste any more precious energy fighting the negative when we can be much more productive focusing on and nurturing the positive, keeping the good things in (kindness, service, compassion, forgiveness, etc.). Remember, what you feed or give life to—negative or positive—will grow.
Love You All to Life!!
Leave a Reply