"Guard your Heart"

[Miss Agapelove]

Three Reasons Why You Must Guard Your Heart

Your heart is the most important leadership tool you have. It is not your experience, knowledge, or skills. It is your heart that matters most of all.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/mas-nv

Back in the mid-80s, I started my own business. My partner and I left big corporate jobs, developed a business plan, and began raising money for our new venture.

We had one investor who promised to make a sizable investment. However, he ran us through the ringer. The due diligence process was all-consuming. We really didn’t have time to court anyone else. We made the fatal mistake of putting most of our eggs in one basket.

After months of back-and-forth, the investor decided not to make the investment after all. We were left high and dry, with about $12.00 in our checking account. We were disappointed, angry, and ready to quit. We almost lost heart.

However, that experience wouldn’t be the last time I experienced an assault on my heart. In my journal, I have cataloged almost twenty distinct situations where I was ready to quit and throw in the towel. In fact, as I have grown older, the conflict has intensified.

This is why, I think, as leaders we must be diligent to guard our hearts. King Solomon said it best: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

This is necessary for at least three reasons:

1. Because your heart is extremely valuable. We don’t guard worthless things. I take my garbage to the street every Wednesday night. It is picked up on Thursday morning. It sits on the sidewalk all night, completely unguarded. Why? Because it is worthless.

   Not so with your heart. It is the essence of who you are. It is your authentic self—the core of your being. It is where all your dreams, your desires, and your passions live. It is that part of you that connects with God and other people.

   Just like your physical body, if your heart—your spiritual heart—dies, your leadership dies. This is why Solomon says, “Above all else.” He doesn’t say, “If you get around to it” or “It would be nice if.” No, he says, make it your top priority.

2. Because your heart is the source of everything you do. King Solomon says it is the “wellspring of life.” In other words, it is the source of everything else in your life. Your heart overflows into thoughts, words, and actions.

   In Tennessee, where I live, we have thousands and thousands of natural springs, where water flows to the surface of the earth from deep under the ground. It then accumulates in pools or runs off into creeks and streams.

   If you plug up the spring, you stop the flow of water. If you poison the water, the flow becomes toxic. In either situation, you threaten life downstream. Everything depends on the condition of the spring.

   Likewise, if your heart is unhealthy, it has an impact on everything else. It threatens your family, your friends, your ministry, your career, and, indeed, your legacy. It is, therefore, imperative that you guard it.

3. Because your heart is under constant attack. When Solomon says to guard your heart, he implies that you are living in a combat zone—one in which there are casualties.

   Many of us are oblivious to the reality of this war. We have an enemy who is bent on our destruction. He not only opposes God, but he opposes everything that is aligned with Him—including us.

   I think that pastors are particularly vulnerable. An August 1, 2010 article in the New York Times reports that,

   Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension, and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.”

   Satan uses all kinds of weapons to attack our heart. For me, these attacks often come in the form of some circumstance that leads to disappointment, discouragement, or even disillusionment. In these situations, I am tempted to quit—to walk off the field and surrender.

This is why if you and I are going to succeed as leaders—and survive as individuals—we must guard our hearts. They are more important than we can possibly imagine. If we lose heart, we have lost everything.

Author........http://michaelhyatt.com/three-reasons-why-you-must-guard-your-heart.html

[Guest]

 

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 (ESV)

[missmuffet]

[Miss Agapelove]

.   &   Sisters ......

[Willa]

Stop worring about even one thing, but in everything by prayer whose essense is that of worship and devotion, and by supplication which is a cry for your personal needs, with thanksgiving let your requests -- be made known in the presence of God, Phil. 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all power of comprehension shall mount guard over your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Expanded Translation by Wuest.

And the peace of Christ, let it be acting as an umpire in your hearts, Col. 3:15 Wuest

Today we can let the peace of God guard our hearts as well as to help us in making choices.

[Miss Agapelove]

Amen Sister Willamina.....

 

Colossians 3 v 15....... loving Christians should work together despite their differences. Such love is not a feeling but a desition that meets others needs

.( In - 1 Corinthians 13)If we clothe ourselves with love- leads to peace between individuals and among members of other believers.  NIV 

 

Love & Blessings Sis Agape ....

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Sister Agape.....

    Very nice article & thanks for posting it......I don't have much to offer as I am guarding my heart these days,I am tired and almost felt like throwing in the towel,I actually had to turn off the computer for two days & just pray.Even here,amongst the brethren we are met with opposition,hardened hearts,combative & contrary attitudes and simply discouragement..............the Lord fills me with His joy & says"Fear not,for I am with thee",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Glory to God!

                                                                                                                                                               With love-in Christ,Kwik

[Miss Agapelove]

I just wanted to clarify......I felt inspired this morning after watching my morning run with Joel osteen ministries......I was gob smacked to discover that too many of us Christians are bothered about who likes us ? 

 

As for me I just do what -where ever -God Guides me to- with what ever spare time I have available to serve his will....Joel was right, as some people try very hard with neighbours and work associates who totally despise us Christians.....   So why do so many people try to convince themselves, that they must like me they must take notice of me?

 

Its all a waste of our precious time, God's agenda for our given purpose.......so why can't people just move on and be happy doing Gods will ? 

 

I learnt many years ago, when I lost all my family members due to my new love for God, just as God told me......THIS WILL HAPPEN CHILD WHEN YOU LOSE INTEREST WITH THE WORLD and LOVE ME !

 

Couple years have pasted since then, now I have all my family back......Praise God 

[Miss Agapelove]

Blessings Sister Agape.....

    Very nice article & thanks for posting it......I don't have much to offer as I am guarding my heart these days,I am tired and almost felt like throwing in the towel,I actually had to turn off the computer for two days & just pray.Even here,amongst the brethren we are met with opposition,hardened hearts,combative & contrary attitudes and simply discouragement..............the Lord fills me with His joy & says"Fear not,for I am with thee",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Glory to God!

                                                                                                                                                               With love-in Christ,Kwik

Hello Sister Kwik, lovely to meet you ......I understand that one - throwing the towel in.....I have been there more than ONCE!!!!! But you know what sis....You know you wont and cant...You are so right...God has got your back at every situation,

 

My life story is heart breaking but I stuck it out and handed it all over to God to sort out,It felt like my heart was gonna BURST with hurt. I was loosing my mind with worry and confusion...I cried and cried to Papa....HE SAID shuhhhhhhhhhhhhh my child I love you ....Rest in me and let me deal with it all....

 

I have read your encouraging words here daily. You have a beautiful heart thats why God has filled you up with so much wisdom....  I can only imagine how many people you have lifted up HERE ALONE.......so now its your turn sis..........Sit back and just cry out to Papa......There are beautiful children here to watch your loving friends.....they would want you to go rest that troubled heart of yours....LET IT ALL OUT MY DARLING SISTER.....Just shut the world out for a day or so then report back here and let us know what God has spoken to your heart about....we will be waiting and praying for you everyday......I know exactly how heavy your heart must be feeling right now......Remember sis ...God is waiting for you to just scream it all out and he is waiting to bring comforting words your way.....

 

Cant wait to speak with you again ...a special lady helped me here 2 years ago and I so wanted to tell her the good news....I have my son back...Amen...and all my family members all

but two....but sometimes we have to let go of those who constantly hurt us......Praise be to God and everyone who helped me here at this special place....I know she will return as I did....soon.....x

 

PROTECT YOUR HEART SIS.............go and rest a while with papa then come and receive love.......

I care for you and will be waiting for you to say you feel a bit stronger.....ok

 

Love & Blessings Sis Agape x 

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Sister Agape...........

      Thank you & Glory to God.............I have cried & begged the Lord to put me somewhere else,,,,,,,He promises to keep my heart filled with His Joy & all will be well.......forge on & spread My love,"How can I, Lord.when I am hurt & angry?"Tell it,says my Lord.......some are feeling just like you & thats okay,receive My Peace & it surpasses ALL understanding"......................Yes Sis....I am here & I love you,His Grace is sufficient & He gives me strength though I am weak....

                                                                                                                                             With love,in Christ,Kwik.