Read:
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 23:19 “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path.”
Proverbs 28:14 “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”
Think:
Have you ever been accused of having walls around your heart? Do we really know what that means? When we spend time and think about it, these walls that we erect are built over time, gradually to keep us from hurt. They were safeguards at first, but actually became callouses. These walls are a result of past painful experiences, past betrayals, past wounds, past trauma. Maybe you are hypersensitive to disloyalty or you are feeling rejected, so you hide your emotions and place a mask and a smile on your face. Maybe you expect the worst, so you won’t be disappointed and you stay on guard, and often forget God is on your side.
Guarding your heart feels like protection but actually it is stealing your joy. Guarding your heart initially felt like “good boundaries,” but now it is keeping everyone out. Guarding your heart in Scripture keeps our faith on track, but walling your heart keeps you shackled in loneliness and fear. Only God can protect us from pain, and he desires us to live in freedom. He created us for companionship and love. Let God guard your heart while you share your heart with others.
Apply:
Life is too short to live behind wallsr, so reach out to someone today. Ask God to show you the walls you have built to protect yourself from being wounded, and ask him to heal those wounds.
Pray:
Heavenly Father, I come to you asking for help tearing down the walls I have built to protect myself. I trust you to heal and guard my heart. Help me release my anger, bitterness, hurt, unforgiveness, and pain to you. Help me to live offense-free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.