by Candice Tyler
The Word: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (New Living Translation)
The Story: I am pregnant! God has honored me with the responsibility of protecting a new life. Like Dwight, Kobe and Lebron, I have to protect the 'basketball' in my belly. My daily defensive plan includes, but is not limited to: no smoking, drugs or alcohol, one horse-sized prenatal vitamin, no seafood, no more than 1 cup of caffeine, no artificial sugar, 8 glasses of water, an extra 100 to 300 daily calories, plenty of sleep and cautionary behavior such as looking both ways before I cross the street. In spite of nausea, heartburn, hormones and memory loss, the goal is to protect the baby.
The Reflection: This is a meticulous game plan, but it must be followed. An effective health plan will determine the beginnings of my baby’s life. It reminds me to be just as cautious in protecting my heart from this world.
The Application: In Dr. Conway and Jada Edward's book, When Love is in View: Finding Focus in Dating and Relationships, it asks, "How does a single person protect his or her heart?" The authors instruct you to ask God to sharpen your self-awareness so that you are better able to discern what behaviors can trigger or engage your heart. Be honest with yourself. Setting appropriate boundaries is critical to successfully protecting your heart. This same advice can be applied to guarding our hearts in all aspects of our lives.
This week, I’d like to ask you to have a greater awareness of self and where the Lord might be asking you to establish boundaries in your life. Following this personal inventory, begin to unpack the “unbelief” you have about God that keeps you from protecting the heart, and person, He considers so precious.
The Prayer: God give us the discernment, wisdom and understanding to deal with matters of our hearts. Remind us that you hold the ultimate blueprint for happiness in our lives. Amen.
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