HeartDefender

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
~ Proverbs 4:24

I should have this verse written all over my dorm room, all over my arms, all over my life. This is something I struggle with, and I think that most people probably do as well. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our lives and the people that play important roles in them.

The first application I think of is boys. Guard your heart against boys. (For you gentlemen readers, girls.) I am a hopeless romantic, always have been. As such, it is very easy for me to get my emotions and time wrapped up into one person. This poor heart has been through a lot because I am not very good at guarding it--or rather, in the past I wasn't, I'm working on it.

I realize that not everyone is a hopeless romantic. (Good for you!) There are other things to be on guard for. Sometimes non-romantic relationships can be just as dangerous. Anytime we put too much trust in one person, we are setting them up for failure and ourselves up for hurt. The only person we can fully rely on is God.

The verse directly following this one talks about keeping perversity and corrupt talk away from our lips. Perverse language is like a poison to the heart. If you listen to it for too long it will eventually make it to your heart. Your heart is your wellspring of life. In Luke 6:45 it says: "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Defend your heart against evil, against sin. I am not saying hole yourself up in your room and never come out again. I am saying, be careful about how you perceive things. Do not become callous to certain issues.

What does it mean when it says your heart is the wellspring of life? Well, in the strictly biological sense, your heart is the muscle that make sure blood reaches all of your body to supply you with oxygen.  I've read several books where blood is called "life force." I like fantasy books, and sometimes blood is almost seen as sacred, as life itself. You and I typically see blood as more the oil for the machine--it has a particular function. Of course, we know the danger in having too little blood but we would not call it sacred. We know it is essential to live, but we would not call it life itself. The heart is the driving force behind the blood. We also connect our hearts to emotions, feelings. Some would say that without feelings it wouldn't really be life. The heart is what gives you life. Without a heart you wouldn't be able to live. So, it stands to reason that you should guard it.

Whether you're protecting against anger, foul language, flattery or falling for someone, be a HeartDefender. It's hard, and you may not always be successful, but it is your mandate.

God Bless!