Guarding Your Heart

As Christian women, we are constantly told to guard our hearts (usually in regards with a man). So many (including myself) take this to mean "guard your emotions." We think we must detach ourselves emotionally from a situation in order to "guard" our hearts. In reality, my sisters, we cannot guard our own hearts. That is the job of our heavenly Bridegroom.

We women are very emotional creatures. It is difficult (and nearly impossible) to emotionally detach ourselves from people and/or situations, so attempting to emotionally detach ourselves seems a little absurd.

For the longest time, I held the view that guarding my heart meant building walls around it -- complete with concrete, barbed wires, and snipers. Sure, I was an impenetrable fortress -- no man would have me. What I didn't realize was that not only was I inhibiting my relationship with my Beloved Lord, but a person who builds walls cannot love easily... and those who do not love do not truly live. The Lord had to break down my "walls" -- a painful, but sanctifying experience -- to render my heart broken and vulnerable. Yet when your heart is broken and vulnerable, dear sister, that is when the Lord works best.

Guarding your heart is not building walls. Rather, it is tearing down the walls around your heart and making yourself vulnerable to the Lord -- not to a man, but to your heavenly Bridegroom. Guarding your heart is surrendering it to the Lord and His will. You must trust the Lord to guard your heart, not your own walls to defend it. Be most assured, dear sister, that the Lord will guard your heart with a jealous passion -- for it belongs to Him. Surrender your heart to the Lord, for there is no safer place than in His hands.

There will be pain and suffering, but embrace that cross just as our Lord did. Embrace your vulnerability. Embrace the pain that comes with a broken heart. Bear it gladly and bear it well, my sisters.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, Who daily bears our burdens. Selah. (Psalm 68:19)