"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
Proverbs 4:23
The Hebrew word for guard is Mishmar which by definition means, "place of confinement, prison, guard, jail, guard post, watch, observence." I can't help but apply this verse to relationships because that is the circumstance I have most often heard it applied to. And when I am in that situation, this verse is one that always comes to my mind. I have many many questions about this so if anyone out there in blog land has any input (or actually reads this) it would be greatly appreciated.
1. How do you balance guarding your heart with being open to opportunities God presents?
2. How do you know when to let your guard down?
3: Will God reveal to you "who" is worthy of letting your guard down for?
4. If He does... how do you know? What will it look like?
5: What happens if you don't let the person in that God is wanting you to and you push them away? Will God send someone else, or have you pretty much blown it?
6: What if you let your guard down because you feel like God is leading you to do so and the person you let it down for tramples all over your heart?
7: If you feel like God leads you to let your guard down because it's the right person, and it turns out not to be... what will be different when it IS the right person?
8: How do you put your guard back up without blocking out every other opportunity that comes your way in the future?
9: Is it possible to put your guard up or let your guard down whenever you feel like it?
10: What's the difference between guarding your heart to glorify God and guarding your heart because you are afraid of getting hurt?
Now... if your heart affects everything you do, how do these scenarios impact your actions and in turn your relationship with and service for God?
Sincerely Confused,
Shannon
1 comment:
"What's the difference between guarding your heart to glorify God and guarding your heart because you are afraid of getting hurt?"
My beloved and I had the reputation of being the most unavailable people on campus. In short, we both were committed to Him and His purposes for us and so set our hearts to be students in pursuit of our respective BAs and not our MR/MRSs. Each of us was virtually unknown to the other until...
Long ago, at Bible College, during Old Testament Survey class---
God---"You understand you're not single for Me...you're single for you."
Me---"Ow...what do you mean?"
God---"The reason you're single is that you don't want the burden and responsibility of another in your life...therefore...you're single for you and not for Me."
Me---long pause..."There's no doubt in my heart that that is true...please forgive me."
God---and I could sense His approval as only one of His own can---"Now...you're single for Me."
Two weeks later, we met. Six months after that, we were engaged. Three months later, we were husband and wife.
Reality is that you can have a husband by the end of the month. You're waiting for the one He has betrothed you to. Be sold out to Christ as the Lover of your soul, your Bridegroom first and foremost. Proverbs 3:5-7 apply here just as well as any other scenario you face.
Blessings, grace and peace to you and yours, B.
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