Top of the morning, how are you?
It's bright, it's beautiful and I'm definitely manifesting an amazing start to this new week - can you believe we are already in Mid March. Anyone else feel like time is moving too fast, or is it just me who is struggling to keep up the pace? In today's devotion, I'd like share something that I have been learning for a while - Guarding your heart.
Proverbs 4:23-24 "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity, keep corrupt talk from your lips".
Passion Translation - "So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what".
"Broken people break others" or "Hurting people hurt others"This is a statement I'm sure you've heard over and over again and in case you haven't - now you have. It is virtually impossible to be kind and treat people right if you are not in the right space emotionally &/or mentally. Whatever is going on in the inside is definitely going to find way to the surface. If you are carrying hurt/disappointment in your heart, trust me it will not take time before it starts manifesting in how you talk to people and how you treat them.
Matthew 12:35-36 " For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him".
Anytime you start seeing traces of mean actions/words kindly check yourself. Take stock and find out exactly what is going on with you. Are you facing a situation that is overwhelming and by in a bid to stay afloat you allow bitterness and negativity to fill your heart? Did someone hurt you and you are yet to heal from it and are just projecting it on others? You could also be very apprehensive and resentful to people/situations/activities that once gave you so much joy. Take a step back and find out exactly where that apprehension is emanating from.
What do you do after you realize that yes, I have a problem. Something is wrong and I need to fix it as soon as possible. Given, there are certain situations that need you to seek out professional help to unpack your emotions and highly recommend that you do exactly that. In case it has not escalated to a point where you need to seek professional help and you can handle it on your own - run to the foot of the cross. Run to Jesus and allow Him to sort you out and help you navigate the emotions that seem to drown you. It is your responsibility child of God to seek out God at the foot of the cross and lay down everything that you carry. Herein lies your duty to come to Jesus with your burdens, your worries, your fears and everything that weighs you down. Before you were redeemed & started walking with God in salvation, Jesus went out looking for you - to reconcile you back to Himself - Parable of the lost sheep
Luke 15:4-6 "Then Jesus told them this parable: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home".
Once you are in His fold, it is upon you to now seek Him and continuously pursue Him relentlessly. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".
Passion Translation - "Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear".
When you go to Jesus at the foot of the cross, you go to a place of exchange. "Foot of the cross" is very figurative - this just signifies your secret place, where you go to meet your Maker for your quiet time and bonding with the Holy Spirit. When you get to the foot of the cross, you lay down whatever burdens you and take up the peace that Jesus offer. Exchange your burdens, worries, fear & insecurities and take upon yourself Jesus' burden which is light and His yoke which is easy and most importantly find rest.
As you exchange your burdens and worries guard your heart. Jealously guard your heart. I love what the Passion Translation says - Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being. Anything that threatens your peace of mind should be very far from you. One sure way of guarding your heart is also hiding the word of God in it and meditation upon the word. Psalms 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you". As you read the word of God and meditate on it, allow it to transform you.
Keep running to the foot of the cross. There is healing, restoration, abundance and most important there is rest from your troubles. Guard your heart at all costs.
God Bless You.