Reflections from Proverbs 4:20-23

How did you get here?

It is rare to find a case where items of extraordinary value or items that present an extraordinary threat of harm to others is left unsecured.

 

Security guards, security systems, reinforced walls…etc are strategically positioned and deployed to control access both in and out.  Anyone or anything that doesn’t have specific and vetted authority is not given access to the secured areas where those items are and even if they are given access, their every move is monitored in order to prevent theft, misuse and/or destruction.

Do you realize that you hold something of extraordinary value? Something that when handled appropriately will determine the success you have, your multi-generational impact, the quality of life that you will experience and will impact every relationship that you have?

This precious treasure is your HEART!

Your heart is the repository of your innermost treasure…your wisdom, your emotions, your passions, your appetites and it is also the divinely determined filter that information and experiences flow through in order govern the way you experience life as influenced by the choices you make under your heart’s influence.

 

Your heart impacts the depth of your perception, the degree of your participation and the development of your priorities.

So why don’t we take more responsibility for guarding our hearts like the precious treasure that it is?

We let negative thoughts linger…We entertain negative people…We cling to fear…We cling to doubt…We hold on to hurt…We allow an unforgiving spirit and vengeance to reside…We even allow feelings of unworthiness to dwell.

Instead of allowing what is true, edifying, hopeful and ultimately life giving to deeply penetrate our hearts we leave our hearts exposed and unguarded so that the enemy can steal, kill and destroy the seeds of wise and purpose-filled living and success before they even get a chance to take root.

I invite you to examine your heart.  Examine not only the choices that you have made but the underlying emotions or heart influences whose results are the choices that are limiting you from experiencing “the best of you”.  As you see “uninvited guests” in your heart, feel free to have a “Deborah Cox moment” and ask, “How did you get here?”  Well if you are honest…They got in because you had a breach, didn’t arm the system or left an entry point open or exposed.

I encourage you today to arm your systems and guard your hearts because your heart determines the course of your life.

 

Ask God to help you to bring your system up to date, to help you to evict any “uninvited guests” and to remedy any breaches.  Your heart is too valuable to give everyone and everything open and easy access.

Is your heart safe?

Proverbs 4:20-23 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Be Blessed,

Soul of a Man (ZBJ)