Guarding our hearts

Over the past several weeks now I've been contemplating and meditating on Proverbs 4:23. 

   

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

I think each and every one of us knows from some sort of experience the truth of this verse.  It seems like it is so easy for your heart to be affected by the struggles and hurts that we all go through.  This season has been one of overwhelming joy and still quite a bit of hardship for our family.  We have so much to be thankful for and yet we are still hurting as we continue to make our way through different situations.  I think sometimes the natural reaction to being hurt is to become defensive, and yet I know that is not a healthy solution, particularly if you value having real and authentic friendships and community with other people.  If we do not allow ourselves to be vulnerable with others, will we really ever experience the kind of community that the Bible teaches us about? 

One of the things I am learning lately is that when you don't guard your heart it is easy to become cynical because there are always going to be people out there that will hurt you and situations that leave you with the short end of the stick. I think this is why the bible tells us to not let our love grow cold, because in this imperfect world it can easily happen and we must guard our hearts from becoming cynical and defensive. I truly believe that cynicism causes divisiveness and ultimately stifles our joy. But when we are meditating on the goodness of God, on his faithfulness and love and grace, we cannot help but be thankful for all that we have which will produce in us true and lasting joy. When I am dwelling on a frustrating situation or how I was mistreated by someone, I literally can feel the cynicism and bitterness creeping inside of me. I start to forget how good God has been to me and how much I am blessed. But when I choose to reflect on all that I have to be thankful for I am often times overcome with joy and thankfulness even though my circumstances have not changed. Funny how that works. I suppose that's why the bible instructs us to do this. :)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.- Phil 4:8

This is why I think it is so important to speak encouragement to others. When we complain or grumble we breed divisiveness and anger but when we encourage and build others up through sincere love it will produce joy and unity among us. I'm not talking about that fake "Oh, it's so good to see you!" stuff when really you know that you have a grudge against that person. (And they probably know it too.) I'm talking about walking in love, asking God to humble us and change our hearts, so that we see others the way that God sees them. We should fight for this, for unity, joy and sincere love, because we know that this is what Christ wants. Thank you, Jesus, for your grace and patience to lovingly and gently teach us a better way!