Above all else guard your heart.

Photo Credit: thepinkpeppercorn / Gail

         Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”. I have to admit I frequently read right over these words and don’t give them much thought. If I do give this one small verse any thought it is to say “wow that’s really great advice” and then I go on with whatever I am doing. Recently God has been revealing to me the importance of guarding your heart. Over the years I have had the chance to listen to many women share stories of pain that resulted from  a lack of guarding one’s own heart. Many of these women gave into the lie that putting out sexually would eventually win them the guy of their dreams. Other women have been betrayed and abused by family members. While others simply did not protect their heart from sin in this world and eventually found themselves being torn apart by the sin that had creeped into their hearts and made a home.  Relationships fell apart, bad decisions were made, and for many of them their lives were altered drastically. As each of these women shared their stories with me my heart wept for them. I longed with them that something had been different; that someone had shared with them the importance of guarding their heart and what that even looks like.

          As woman we so easily put our heart out on the line for others. We tend to be more compassionate than men, which I think is actually a great strength about women. The problem arises when we are not cautious of how we handle out heart. The devil realizes this strength of ours can also be our weakness. He is not ignorant to the fact that he can wiggle his way into our lives through this door. As we open ourselves up to relationships we also give the devil a potential invitation into our hearts.

      For women who are still dating, don’t throw yourself into a relationship because you are lonely or think a relationship will fix your problems. Trust me getting into the wrong relationship will NOT fix your problems! Wait it out for the right guy who will help you protect your heart. He is out there just be patient. Be cautious when entering into a new relationship and don’t lay it all out on the table on the first date. Discover what God intends for your future marriage and strive after that. Your future husband will be grateful for this someday.

       As for those of us who are already married this does not mean you get to stop guarding your heart. In fact this means you better start protecting it even more. Did you know marriage scares Satan? It is the best example of what God’s love for the Church looks like and Satan will do whatever he can to tear it apart. So that guy at work that you enjoy talking to…guard your heart. The annoying habits your husband has that keep building up inside of you…guard your heart. Your bad self-image and need to be desired...guard your heart.

     Now to answer the question “how do I guard my heart”? Simply focus on Jesus. There is no better person to help you guard your heart than the one who created your heart. Surround yourself with God’s Word. If you are married make sure that Christ is the center and focus of your relationship. If you are single make sure that you are allowing God to guide and direct whom you trust your heart with. Place your heart in God's hands. There is honestly no better place to put it.