Guard Your Heart

In our daily lives, we come into contact with so many people that deal with matters of the heart. These heart pains can include crises, anxieties, and relationships that can range from financial woes to the death of a loved one and everything in between. Whether the situation was something we could control is irrelevant. Once the damage is done, many of us have difficulties letting go of the pain.

There is a familiar saying that states, “I may not remember what someone did, but I remember how they made me feel.” People can make us feel inadequate which impacts our hearts, emotions, and behavior. Life happens and throws us off our game. We are left wounded and lost. Whenever the body is injured, it goes into protection mode and puts up a defense. There is no difference when the heart is broken. The brain puts up barriers to protect it from additional pain which can lead to trust issues, self-doubt, confusion, offense, and acting out of character.

Moreover, if we allow this negatively to take root, it causes division and distraction. It sets the stage to lose focus on purpose, goals we have set for ourselves, and to sabotage relationships. To prevent digression, we must guard our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” This means that the condition of your heart will guide the course that your life takes.

Here are a few suggestions that may help guide you:

Guard Your Heart Spiritually and Physically.

Your heart is aligned with the spirit man. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs, 23:7). Therefore, we must guard our time, our circle, our families, and anything that can derail us. Guard it with prayer and supplication. You need to guard it physically, if need be, by setting standards for yourself and those you allow in your lives. We need to place limits on the demands of others and chart our course.

Guard Your Eyes and Ears

The Bible states, keep your eyes on what is before you (Proverbs, 4:25). No runner wins the race looking backward!  In other words, focus! We must also guard our hearing. I have worked in the criminal justice field for numerous years. The culture permits the use of profanity. Who knows that even if you are full of the holy spirit, you’ll find yourself dwelling on what you hear? Surround yourself with those who will speak life into your situation, and be careful not to despise correction. The Bible says, listen to what is being said and allow it (good counsel) to enter into your heart (Proverbs, 4:20-21).

Guard Your Inner Circle

I often deal with how I am treated in comparison to how I treat others. The problem is that I have set higher standards for myself, and some people I’ve allowed in my circle don’t belong there. With that being said, it is time to spring-clean our inner circles.

Guard Your Name

Be careful how you allow people to use your name and attach themselves to what you have accomplished. There is something symbolic about a name.  In the Bible, specific encounters led to a name change. Abram’s name changed to Abraham when God made a covenant with him (Genesis 17:5). Jacob’s name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with God (Genesis 32:28). These individuals had a profound place in scripture due to their encounters and names.

Guard Your Talents

You have labored before the Lord and overcome obstacles and struggles. Do not allow someone to come along who has no idea what you have endured and attach themselves to the glory cloud covering you. Guard the talents God has given you with extreme zeal. Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing. You don’t have to tell everybody everything that God has placed in your heart. Let them wait to see the fruits of your labor during the big reveal.

Guarding your heart, spirit, inner circle, name, and gifts will set you apart from others and allow God to do wonders in your life!

The Katrice Factor