ABOVE ALL ELSE GUARD YOUR HEART

Heart Trouble – by Sheldon Bass

“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.” 

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

In all of Solomon’s wisdom, he reveals: If you hope to be wise, “Guard your heart!” 

Read Jesus’ words: Mark 7:14-23. 

From the heart come feelings we don’t like to feel, and the emotions we enjoy. Too often we tend to blame the person who brought those unwanted feelings out of us, when actually it’s an issue with our own heart. Memories from the past have a way of dictating our responses in the present. 

When we’re in a relationship our partner may say, or, do something which draws a feeling out of us, like; anger, worthlessness or jealousy. We could feel stupid, like a failure, or have a sense that we’re not appreciated.

Though the other person’s behavior has much to do with the health of your relationship, your baggage has just as much to do with it. We tend to be good at judging another’s behavior, but not so good at identifying what it is inside us that made us feel that way. Identifying the feeling and its cause is half the battle. We then take it to the Lord. 

“Lord, help me to not feel like a failure, or to feel stupid,” or whatever that bad feeling may be.

Many difficulties in our relationships lie in each person’s heart. Realizing that it’s not a relationship issue, but a heart issue, we move forward to address and conquer that problem, with God’s help. Examining and understanding our own heart, and allowing the Lord to do some deep cleaning there, will enhance our relationships tremendously.