Guard Your Heart, AGAIN!

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.

Last week we were discussing our position or placement as an authority figure for God's will.   But even in this we must make clear that God is the protector, not us. We misinterpret scripture to mean that WE do the protecting, and God empowers us; don't stop there.  Let's study deeper. 

Mal 2:16 For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts.  So guard yourselves (is where we usually stop, but there is more) IN YOUR SPIRIT and do not be FAITHLESS.  (where is our faith, in God or self?)

If we are not protecting our own heart and those near and dear to our heart then who is, what in the world can this mean?  Have you ever asked that question?  Well I have (don't leave me hanging ;) ).  This is one of the area's where we are not always correctly brought up.  God stresses, "Do not depend on your own understanding" that "His ways are higher than our ways".  Our self protection is fear based.  This is the reason He instructs us to diligently cast our cares, worries and anxiety upon Him.  He is not afraid and it is not too much for Him to take on.  He also tells us to let it go and then take on His yoke because it is not burdensome at all. 

Phil 4:5 tells us:
Let your gentleness be known to ALL men ( not just those who give you comfort or you like), the Lord is at hand, be anxious for nothing (not anything at all!), but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving (not blaming, crying or desperation) let your requests be MADE known to God (not your neighbor, mom, dad, sister, prayer room, husband...) and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.

See all the ways we strive to be comforted, when actually all we must do is focus on HIM!  He protects us in all ways.  He knows it's a war zone all around us, even within us at times.  But in Him, we are above it all and He is covering us while the supernatural battle wages (or rages) on. We must remember that this battle was won in the past, Christ has been finished with it for over 2,000 years.  We just didn't understand the memo.  So we keep carrying on as if it is happening all over again, it's a choice.  But we do not have to make it....we do not have to participate. 

When He tells us to not fear, it is because He understands we will be afraid of things from time to time.  This is the reason to rejoice, He is saying to us "I know you are scared, but I've got you covered, we can do this....I promised."   Next time you don't know what to do in regard to a heart harm, start with being gentle with yourself and ask God to help you do the same toward everyone else...because He IS at hand.  Secondly, don't get anxious that you'll make a mistake or get hurt, just talk to God and thank Him that He knows all conditions and is desiring peace to abound as much as you do.  (probably more so) Ask Him to shed light on how you can extend peace but also to show you the way to properly keep your peace, kick any dust and announce His Kingdom is at hand.  Only speak if He directs you to, through revealing words of reconciliation, which will minister to all around you.  But mostly, praise Him for allowing you to have rest while He guards your heart and mind!

Review these scriptures in light of these thoughts:

Psalms 121 :8  The Lord guards you as you come and go, now and forever.

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.

Why do we experience tough relationships and feelings?  To test our faith, our understanding.

James 1:3 Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

So then, do we ask not to be tested?  Absolutely NOT! We ask by supplication, as Christ did for Peter and instructed Him, when Satan had requested to thrash him, to request "that his FAITH NOT FAIL!"

All this leads up to how we will be treated and why He ALONE protects our heart, so that we will not become hardened by our lack of ability to stand (or stand those around us :))  under all this pain and rejection:

Matthew 10:22  You will be hated by everyone because of ME!  But the one who stand firm till the end....WILL BE SAVED!

So let's stand in the face of ALL these odds.....and NOT glare back with haughty arrogance...but let them see our gentle nature.  Even let them see that we sure are a little afraid of their damaging ways because it hurts! BUT, we will not shrink back in fear...even if we do get broken beyond our imagination we will NEVER be broken beyond His repair!

For God Sake Believe and BE FREE.....in Christ Jesus :)
Kisses,
Candace

©Candace Huffmaster 2013, All Copy Rights Reserved

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