When God says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, NLT), I sit up and take notice.

The Physical Heart

The course of my life? That’s intense. Another Bible translation of that verse says to guard my heart, “for from it flow the springs of life” (NASB). That sounds important, too, and not something I should back-burner.

God is not talking about my literal heart that is pumping blood through my body, keeping me alive, while I sit here in my office writing. But the importance of guarding my spiritual heart reminds me to care for the condition of my physical heart.

In March 2018, I suffered a heart attack. I didn’t know it at the time. I thought it was just scary bad pain in my shoulder, jaw, and upper back. It’s the kind of pain that feels serious, internally. Way beyond a stubbed toe or stepping on a Lego with my bare feet.

I went to my doctor, and tests confirmed that it was indeed a heart attack caused by a blockage. Now I have to get echocardiograms every two years. It’s not an unpleasant experience, except for the goo left on my skin from the scanning device.

It’s pretty amazing to lie there, watching my heart on the screen, pumping away. There are no batteries or a charging port. It just keeps beating, like it has for the last fifty-plus years. Amazing design, I think.

The Spiritual Heart

I take medication along with undergoing the scans to watch over my physical heart. But how do I protect my spiritual heart? Is something like this, which is so important, all my responsibility? One of my favorite verses contains the answer.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

God’s peace will guard our hearts, as long as we stay close to Him, talking with Him and thanking Him. His powerful peace, which we can’t comprehend in this physical state of existence, will guard our hearts and minds through our precious Shepherd and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Join me in trusting God with everything, especially with guarding your heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You don’t let this little scatter-brained lamb of Yours go to her own devices or protection. Thank You for giving me Your unfathomable peace to guard my heart. I praise You and love You. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Guard Your Heart: Angela Dolbear: All Rights Reserved.