I think of the river slipping toward the ocean, all it carries, the life it brings.
And these words come to mind…
Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
Everything we are, what we do, flows from our hearts.
So how to guard it?
Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. 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 4:6
I write these words in my journal. The next day on the way to the airport we stop by a gift shop. I stop to look at a row of bracelets. I catch my breath when I see it…
“It’s the only one we have like it,” the shop owner says.
I buy it and tell God I will remember to guard my heart.
Then I get home.
My inbox overflows with e-mails. The laundry is undone. There are deadlines to meet, calls to make, to-do lists that feel impossibly long.
I don’t guard my heart. I worry. I lay awake at night wondering how it will all get done. I get grouchy. I wear myself out. I eat way too much chocolate.
At the end of the week, I catch a glimpse of my bracelet sitting on the counter.
“Oh,” I whisper, “You tried to warn me this week was coming, didn’t you, God?”
And I ask for grace. I start again. I realize anew how my heart needs protecting. It’s not from the great big things but from the little things that creep into my life and steal my joy, my peace.
I put my bracelet on again. I’m wearing it now as I type these words.
What’s valuable is worth protecting.
And our hearts are treasures.
Let’s guard them this week.
I think of the river, slipping toward the ocean, all it carries, the life it brings.
Lord, may our hearts flow with joy, carry peace, and bring life too.
I’d love to hear your thoughts…what helps you guard your heart?
p.s. Guarding your heart doesn’t mean you won’t have emotions like sadness or even anger–our emotions are gifts from God to help us process life. It also doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days or tough times. Those are just part of living in this fallen world.
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