“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
To guard your heart means to protect your emotional and spiritual well-being by focusing on positive and godly thoughts, seeking wisdom from God, and making choices that align with proper moral values. This involves being mindful of what influences you allow into your life, avoiding harmful temptations, and striving for purity in your thoughts and actions.
One thing that would aid us in thinking and acting correctly is developing a positive attitude. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines attitude when used as a noun as: ‘The particular way a person thinks or feels about something or someone.’ A positive attitude, therefore, is a result of one having the right heart.
A right heart is one that is guarded and yielded to God for His guidance and direction to navigate the course of daily living. As we interact and relate with other persons, we should keep at the forefront of our minds the words of one philosopher, Lao Tzu – “Watch your thoughts; they become words, watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits, watch your habits; they become your character”.
Guarding our hearts ensures that our thoughts and actions flow from a place of integrity and wisdom, resulting in positive results. A right heart will propel us to approach God and man with humility (James 4:6). It is our responsibility, with God’s help, to maintain good spiritual and mental health as we seek to be impactful witnesses in our various spheres of influence. Micah 6:8 encourages us to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. This is what the Lord requires of us as His servants.
Today, let us ask God to help us to guard our hearts, think right, and maintain a positive attitude as we seek to humbly serve wherever He has placed us to be witnesses according to Psalm 139:23-24.
Read: Psalm 119:11; Luke 6:45
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 11:29-31; Proverbs 12:1-7; John 7:14-44; Judges 14; Judges 15