| JOY Blog |
Our hearts are fertile ground. That’s why we need to be so careful about what we let take root.
God warns us in the Bible to “watch over your hearts with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life”. (Proverbs 4:23 NASB)
Allowing wayward seeds –external influences and even our own thoughts – to be sown can potentially clog up our hearts, prevent God’s words, love, and acts from flowing out to others, and ultimately draw us away from serving God.
On the flip side, if we make careful choices to safeguard our hearts, we can then be used powerfully in people’s lives. God’s words, love and acts can freely flow out of our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Guarding our hearts with God’s words
It has taken me years to really respect the meaning of this scripture verse: whatever we allow into our hearts will direct our very lives in one way or the other.
For this reason, God’s truth needs to be rooted deeply into our hearts, not loosely rattling around in our minds. Only then do we not make the mistake of exchanging the truth of God for the lies of the world.
The Bible talks about the enemy of our soul and how he roars around like a lion looking for those he can devour. (1 Peter 5:8). Memorizing Bible verses is a great way to guard our hearts against the enemy of our souls. I’m amazed at how I still remember verses I memorized as a young Christian and how the Holy Spirit has helped me recall those when I was in need of encouragement or conviction.
For example, in busy and burdened times in my life, the Holy Spirit would often remind me of scriptures such as:
- “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10 NIV)
- “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. “ (Matt 11:28 NIV)
As these scriptures flooded into my mind, I would respond by asking, “Jesus, show me how to be still and walk in your peace when I am raising twin toddlers, a stepson, and three puppies, managing a full-time job, and trying to keep the house clean for my husband!”
I would meditate on what it meant to be “still” in my situation, what it meant to truly rest in the midst of so much work.
Letting go of stress and letting in life
As I opened up a conversation with Jesus through His Word, I would find myself being anchored, strengthened and able to receive His peace and presence in the midst of my responsibilities.
Instead of letting stress and anxiety take root, I let His Word take root in my heart. And from this flowed life.
Remember, your heart is a vital life-giving organ. Watch over it.
What are some ways you watch over your heart?
Sheila Heiser is a writer who loves to spur women on to believe what God says about them, using examples from her life as a woman who married again in her 40’s, completed nursing school in her 40’s and had twin daughters in her 40’s. She believes that age should never hold us back from doing what God is calling us to do. Read more articles by Sheila.
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