How Shall We Guard Our Hearts?

How great is the goodness
you have stored up for those who fear you.
You lavish it on those who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
You hide them in the shelter of your presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
You shelter them in your presence,
far from accusing tongues.

Praise the Lord,
for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
He kept me safe when my city was under attack.
~ Psalm 31:19-21 New Living Translation (NLT)


How we guard our hearts is important.

It becomes either the place we seek His refuge or the defensive stronghold where we self-protect. One offers healing through inferior vulnerability and surrender. The other offers power through superior strategy and an elevated vantage point.  One bears the fruit of righteousness and the other of battle scars. The fruit of righteousness is love. The fruit of battle scars is callousness.




Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
~ Hosea 10:12 NIV

A harvest that has God’s approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers. ~James 3:18 God's WORD Translation


For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
~ Matthew 13:15 NIV


He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.
~ Psalm 147:3 NLT

Heavenly Father,

May we go to you when our hearts need guarding, for only Your love can cast out the fear that makes us afraid to trust. Thank you for the balm of Gilead You place on our wounded hearts that softens and protects at the very same time. Thank you for a love that never fails. Give us hearts that always heal.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Gina Higgins