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^“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life”– Proverbs 4:23 NLT

This Proverb has always stood out to me and is a powerful reminder to us during these times that we are vulnerable. This vulnerability is a real danger to our peace, joy, and our witness to the world. Solomon points it out to us so that we do not fall victim to the enemy’s attack on our hearts.

Yet Solomon’s description of guarding our hearts differs significantly from how we often view protecting our hearts. Guarding our hearts from a scriptural perspective means being alert, through Christ’s power, to what enters and dwells in our hearts. We need to be aware of what we say and do because, over time, our thoughts and actions shape the status of our hearts. Biblically guarding our hearts is founded on consistent communication with our Lord for direction, conviction, and peace.

However, if we are not careful, we will begin to believe that guarding our hearts means building walls around them. There is a big difference between guarding our hearts and putting up walls. Walls stop us from listening and cause us to retreat behind our walls while we forget that we were built for relationships. Walls we erect to keep people out or protect our emotions can become walls that keep us bound in insecurity, fear, unhappiness, and loneliness.

Guarding our hearts helps to keep our faith on track, and walls will reap zero benefits to our lives. Life is simply too short to live behind walls, especially when freedom and peace are God’s gifts to us through Jesus!

Journeying Together,

John

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