How Can You Guard Your Heart?

Nika Maples
December 22, 2015

Nika Maples

Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year, author, and stroke survivor

nikamaples


In Proverbs 4:23, we read: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Yes, but how do you guard your heart? If you are like me, then you have wondered. I read this verse dozens of times in my youth, determining that God wanted me to be very careful about what I chose to watch or listen to, to be careful about the friends I hung around and the places I went. I thought to guard your heart meant to post my strength and willpower like twin sentinels at Buckingham Palace, armed and ready to stop Temptation from entering my heart’s gate.

All of this is true, but as I moved into adulthood, I found that Temptation wasn’t the only one trying to get into my heart. Stress was knocking at the door, also. Often, I let it in.

Have you let Stress become a guest, too? Then you and I may need to think of guarding our hearts in a whole new way. The good news is that it may be easier than we thought. What does this verse say about the process?

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Read this and be comforted: His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

How’s that for the deal of a lifetime? We bring God our worrisome needs and our humble gratitude, and He gives us Peace as a steadfast guard for our inner selves. His peace will guard our hearts and minds. We don’t have to be the guards anymore. We don’t have to max out our strength and willpower, trying to keep Temptation and Stress and who-knows-what-else locked outside. Instead, all we have to do is fall to our knees. Which is exactly what I want to do because, by now, I’m exhausted from trying to guard my heart by myself. Aren’t you?

Peace is a heart-guard that functions like a gift card. Just because someone gives you a restaurant gift card this Christmas, doesn’t mean you are full and satisfied. You won’t be until you cash it in. You can walk around with that gift card in your pocket all day long and stay hungry. You won’t receive the benefit of the gift until you go to the restaurant and ask for what you need. Then, just like that! The table will be set before you. And you will walk away full.

Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you — peace of mind and heart. And my peace is a gift that the world cannot give” (John 14:27). He has given us the gift of peace, dear friend, but it is like a gift card in our pockets until we come to the table and ask for what we need.

Then, we will walk away full.


Source: NikaMaples.com

Nika Maples

Want Nika Maples for your next event?

Find out more information, including fees and availability.
Find Out More
Keep Reading
Walk through the Psalms with Me!
Nika Maples
Nika Maples
December 28, 2015
Do you have a Bible readingplan for 2016 in place? Why not join me on a walk through the Psalms ...
How Can You Guard Your Heart?
Nika Maples
Nika Maples
December 22, 2015
In Proverbs 4:23, we read:Above all else,guard your heart, foreverything you do flows from it. ...
TEDxACU | What Paralysis Taught Me About True Strength
Nika Maples
Nika Maples
May 14, 2015
"The hardest thing I ever had to do is nothing at all. When my nose itched, I had to ...
Walk through the Psalms with Me!
Do you have a Bible readingplan for 2016 in place? Why not join me on a walk through the Psalms for the first half of the year? There are 150 Psalms, so from January to May, let's read one per day. They are brief but meaty, full of both lament and praise. We will grow so much during the first half of the year if we read the Psalmstogether s...
Read More
How Can You Guard Your Heart?
In Proverbs 4:23, we read:Above all else,guard your heart, foreverything you do flows from it. Yes, but how do youguard your heart? If you are like me, then you have wondered. I read this verse dozens of times in my youth, determining that God wanted me to be very careful about what I chose to watch or listen to, to be careful about the fri...
Read More
TEDxACU | What Paralysis Taught Me About True Strength
"The hardest thing I ever had to do is nothing at all. When my nose itched, I had to wait for someone to scratch it. But there is power in the fullness of process. Rethink 'the wait.'"; Author of Twelve Clean Pages,Texas Education Agency's 2007 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year,Nika Maples recently gave an incredible TEDx Talk at Abeline ...
Read More
Giving Like the Great Giver
The headache was overpowering. It pierced a small space just above my left ear and seemed to worsen as the days moved into weeks. At times, the pain made me dizzy, and I would trip or almost fall down the dorm stairs. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't slow down. My sophomore year in college was a blur of joy and activity, and I didn't w...
Read More
Five Reasons You Will Be Glad You Self-Published
They avoided my questions. Both writers who had chosen self-publishing and writers who had chosen traditional publishing would get cottonmouth when I asked for advice.At times you can sense a competitive tension among authors and speakers that is thicker than Corleone bloodlines.People will shut the shop quickly if you appear overeager. Ask to...
Read More
Meet Real Christians: Patricia
With tears already burning her eyes, Patricia reached the last stoplight before her neighborhood. She knew they would be flowing by the time she pulled intothe driveway. Every day ended the same way. Only hours earlier, she had been in good spirits. Her hope and energy soared every morning, and she always smiled as she got ready for work, sayi...
Read More