Guarding My Heart

This is the right way to do it:

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life."

The wrong way? That would be the way I do it.

I have learned a big lesson lately. It's about fear of man. Whoa, sounds a little intimidating, doesn't it? FEAR OF MAN. But it's not just basic fear. It's not being scared of people. It is putting people above God. It is putting my fear of other's reactions above God's will. It is in every way not fearing the Lord as I should.

Fear of God. I think to a non-Christian that must sound like nonsense. Scare tactic. Uneducated masses of people who want an explanation for natural disasters, death, illness, any-bad-thing. But that is not the case. As I understand it, to fear the Lord it to know that His wrath is just. It's to know that I am a sinner, and that I deserve death; total separation from Him and His Love. It is the realization that as a Christian, a believer in the Gospel, I in no way deserve God's Grace, but HE GIVES IT TO ME ANYWAY. Fear of God is healthy. It is not being scared all of the time. It is a reverential treatment of Him; of His Power, Glory, and Grace. Respecting what He has done, is doing, and will be doing for me. Daily and always.

Just thought I'd attempt to clear that up.

So, back to fear of man, and guarding my heart in the wrong way. My preacher is half way done with a 4 part series on Job. In the first sermon, he said two things that struck me.

1. Do you try to live your life to avoid suffering?

2. Fear of man is a waste of time and an insult to God.

These two statements really narrowed in on something specific I have been battling with for years, and have recently been working on - seeking counsel on - praying about earnestly. Relationships... with men. I have come to realize in the past few months that I just don't trust men. I think that all men are the same, and that there aren't any out there that can see past the exterior; and the one's that are out there - the good ones - wouldn't want anything to do with me.

Now, there are things in my past - relationship, etc., where one might think, "well, I don't blame you for being afraid of being hurt." Actually, people have told me that same thing. The thing is, if I am trusting God, really trusting in His Sovereignty, then I have nothing to fear. Not one thing. Even if it is obvious that something bad will happen to me, I have no room for fear. That is how Christians are called to live.

So, thank God! I have a new mindset when it comes to men and marriage. There will be someone for me if God wills it. Everything is possible with God - even there being a man out there who can deal with my insecurities, my weirdness, my past, my mind, my heart. It is possible, and if I keep trying to guard my heart in the wrong way - I may just miss out one what He has in store for me.

Lessons learned my friends, lessons learned.

CHECK OUT THIS COMMENTARY Scroll down to B - God describes His dealing with His disobedient people.

Isaiah 57:10-12 (NIV)

10 You were wearied by all your ways,
but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.'
You found renewal of your strength,
and so you did not faint.

11 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared
that you have been false to me,
and have neither remembered me
nor pondered this in your hearts?
Is it not because I have long been silent
that you do not fear me?

12 I will expose your righteousness and your works,
and they will not benefit you.

Psalm 2:11 (NIV)

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Exodus 20:20 (NIV)

Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."

Psalm 89:7 (NIV)

In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.


CHECK OUT THIS BOOK, WE’RE READING IT IN SMALL GROUP