Guard Your Thoughts, Guard Your Heart
The Scripture says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” That tells us that our life is going to go in the direction of our most prominent thoughts, which is why the writer of Proverbs warns us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” It doesn’t say that “some” things flow from your heart; it says “everything.” If you allow the wrong thoughts to linger in your mind, such as an offense or a fear or a worry, they will drop down into your heart and create a bad attitude. Life is hard enough without being handicapped by negative thoughts and attitudes. Many of the difficulties that come against us will overwhelm us if we have negative attitudes and the wrong perspective.
To not guard our heart means that we will allow wrong thoughts to develop into harmful attitudes. For instance, let’s say your spouse has a habit of doing something you don’t like. At first it’s no big deal, but the more you think about it, the more it frustrates you. You’re getting dressed, and you’re thinking about it. You’re eating lunch, and you’re thinking, “That really irritates me.” Then he does it again, and you’re thinking, “He’s never going to change. He makes me crazy!” This time you’re upset and starting to build a critical attitude toward him. It’s not just “that thing” he does; it’s him! That initial irritating thought has sunk into your heart and become a critical attitude that will grow and harden. Every time he does something, you’ll measure his performance through this critical filter, and it will damage your relationship.
If we’re going to become everything God wants us to be, we must take captive the thoughts that are playing in our mind and ruling our heart. God has given you His Word and the power to think His thoughts and to create your life around those thoughts. That’s the key. You can’t control what anyone else does or says or thinks, and you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control what you think. You can control your attitudes. You can control the filters you use by allowing God to use the power of His Word to renew your mind, to transform your thinking, and to guard your heart attitudes, and it can start now.
So let me encourage you today. If your life is not going in the direction you want, push your thoughts in the direction you want. The transformation will take place as soon as you choose the right thoughts to align with God’s Word.
To not guard our heart means that we will allow wrong thoughts to develop into harmful attitudes. For instance, let’s say your spouse has a habit of doing something you don’t like. At first it’s no big deal, but the more you think about it, the more it frustrates you. You’re getting dressed, and you’re thinking about it. You’re eating lunch, and you’re thinking, “That really irritates me.” Then he does it again, and you’re thinking, “He’s never going to change. He makes me crazy!” This time you’re upset and starting to build a critical attitude toward him. It’s not just “that thing” he does; it’s him! That initial irritating thought has sunk into your heart and become a critical attitude that will grow and harden. Every time he does something, you’ll measure his performance through this critical filter, and it will damage your relationship.
If we’re going to become everything God wants us to be, we must take captive the thoughts that are playing in our mind and ruling our heart. God has given you His Word and the power to think His thoughts and to create your life around those thoughts. That’s the key. You can’t control what anyone else does or says or thinks, and you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control what you think. You can control your attitudes. You can control the filters you use by allowing God to use the power of His Word to renew your mind, to transform your thinking, and to guard your heart attitudes, and it can start now.
So let me encourage you today. If your life is not going in the direction you want, push your thoughts in the direction you want. The transformation will take place as soon as you choose the right thoughts to align with God’s Word.