Guard your heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Over the past three years, this verse has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. For most of my life, I thought guarding my heart was just about avoiding sin or making good decisions. But I’ve come to realize it’s so much deeper than that. Guarding your heart is about protecting the core of who you are—your emotions, your faith, your priorities—from anything that threatens to pull you away from God. It’s a principle I’ve learned the hard way, and now, it’s become something I’m incredibly passionate about sharing.
I’ve discovered that when I don’t guard my heart, life quickly feels overwhelming. The busyness of ministry, the weight of people’s needs, and my own struggles have, at times, left me stressed, disconnected, and even short-tempered. I’ve seen how an unguarded heart impacts my marriage with Venessa and my relationship with Hailey. There have been moments where stress has stolen time and energy from the people I love most, leaving me convicted and humbled.
Learning from the Bible’s Examples
Scripture gives us powerful examples of what happens when we fail to guard our hearts—and what happens when we do it well.
Take King Saul, for instance. Saul began his journey as a man chosen by God, but he allowed jealousy, pride, and insecurity to consume him. He became obsessed with David’s success, and instead of trusting God, he let envy destroy his leadership and relationships. Saul’s story is a warning: an unguarded heart is fertile ground for fear and sin to take root.
Judas Iscariot provides another sobering example. Walking with Jesus, hearing His teachings, and witnessing miracles should have been enough to strengthen his heart. Yet Judas let greed and doubt creep in, leading him to betray the Savior he once followed.
But then there’s Joseph—a man who shows us what it looks like to guard your heart, even in the hardest circumstances. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph had every reason to let anger or despair take over. Instead, he remained faithful to God, guarding his heart from bitterness. His story shows the power of a heart protected by trust in God. When the moment of reconciliation came, Joseph didn’t retaliate. Instead, he said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
What I’ve Learned About Guarding My Heart
These examples resonate deeply with me because I’ve lived on both sides of this principle. I’ve had seasons where I’ve neglected my heart, letting stress and busyness push God to the margins. And I’ve experienced the consequences: distance in my marriage, missed opportunities to connect with Hailey, and ministry that felt more like a burden than a joy.
But I’ve also learned that guarding my heart starts with small, intentional steps:
Spending time in God’s Word: Scripture has become my anchor, keeping my heart focused on God’s promises rather than my fears.
Praying consistently: Bringing my burdens to God helps me release the things I can’t control and find peace.
Practicing forgiveness: Like Joseph, I’ve had to choose forgiveness to keep bitterness from taking root.
Setting boundaries: I’ve learned to say no when it means protecting my time with my family and with God.
Why It Matters
Guarding your heart isn’t just about self-care; it’s about fulfilling the purpose God has for your life. When we let our hearts become cluttered with stress, resentment, or distractions, it blocks the flow of love, grace, and joy that God wants to pour into and through us.
Saul and Judas show us the dangers of neglecting our hearts. Joseph shows us the beauty of a heart surrendered to God. And my own journey has shown me that when I guard my heart, I’m able to love Venessa and Hailey better, lead Salem more faithfully, and experience God’s presence more fully.
So let me ask you: What’s influencing your heart right now? Are there areas where busyness, bitterness, or fear have crept in? If so, know this—it’s never too late to begin again. Take time today to ask God to renew and protect your heart.
When we guard our hearts, we create space for God to fill us with His peace and purpose. And from that place, everything we do flows—not from exhaustion or emptiness, but from the abundance of His love. It’s so easy to ignore your heart, especially in the chaos of life. But don’t. Don’t let it go unnoticed or unattended. Guard it, nurture it, and watch how God uses it to transform your life and the lives of those around you.