Heart Check
Verse of the Day: Proverbs 4:23
“Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” (CEV)
“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts...” (MSG)
”Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (NLT)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV)
“Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.” (KJV)
FORETHOUGHT What does this verse mean to you? Take a minute and write down your thoughts.
LET’S TALK
Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves saying things like, I’m smarter than this. I would never do that. Or, I should know better.
Yet somehow, here we are—not being smarter than a decision, doing those things we said we never would do and acting as if we don’t know better. Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of the very things we dislike asking ourselves, “How did I get here?”
Human logic tells us that we are able to overcome any struggle in life if we just think about it hard enough and come up with a solution. Scripture tells us that the root of our issues flow from our hearts. Yes, every single thing we do flows directly from our hearts. All those thoughts and all those actions come right from our hearts. Our inconsistency, unsatisfying behavior, and not so smart choices flow directly from our hearts.
Here’s the good news. We don’t have to continue to live with hearts that yield non-desirable results. God instructs us to guard our hearts and protect it from those things that can bring us harm. Protecting our hearts protects our life. Before you get frustrated with your decisions, find out what’s lurking in your heart.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for being a patient God. You patiently wait for me to be fully connected to the purpose and spirit You have placed in me. I’m grateful that You still consider me worthy to do Your will. Father, allow my logic to be replaced with Your plan for my life. Today, give me the strength and obedience to guard my heart so my life will be protected and hidden in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REFLECT
Be honest. It’s only you and God.
1. Is there a situation you are trying to think your way out of? What is it?
2. Are you relying on God’s logic or your logic?
3. How can you practice guarding your heart?
