The Heart of Defense
God has had me focusing on the heart for several days. At first I thought it was just between Him and I to help me through this particular season of my life but now I see that there is something for you here as well.
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
This was one of the first verses of scripture that I memorized and I've always loved it because it speaks to that desire in my heart of wanting to be prized and highly valued. God is very concerned about our heart. It is who we are, our inner man and quite often, it is the part we don't fully disclose with anyone else. But God sees it and more than that, He understands it.
Our heart is precious to God. He genuinely loves who we are more than anything else. His love for us has nothing to do with what we look like - our size, shape, coloring, or clothing. He does not care what job we have, what car we drive, or how much money we have. And His love is not changed or affected in any way by our behavior. Even those who do not know Him or refuse to know Him, He loves. God's love for you is given freely and abundantly even if you don't accept or receive it.
It is important for us to protect our heart from the influence of society and the untrue words of others or ourselves because our heart directs the course we choose to walk. The power of the heart will shape our entire life because our choices and perceptions originate there.
I, like most people, grew up wanting to be loved. But the words and the actions of people around me when I was growing up said I could only be loved if I behaved a certain way or got good grades. Basically, the impression I got (through the experiences of my childhood) said that if I did not do the right thing then I would not be loved. I accepted these external messages to be true about myself and so my heart became very fearful of making mistakes and especially of displeasing people. My self talk became condemning and my heart was imprisoned by insecurity.
But God (I love saying that! He is so good to me!)... but God has set me free. He has taught me that His love for me never changes no matter what I do. His love is a constant in my life just like the rising and setting of the sun. Even when I cannot see it, His love is always there for me.
It is not an easy process to weed the lies out of our hearts but it can be done. When my heart was full of insecurity, I struggled everyday. But as I have spent time with God, reading His word, studying it, and talking to Him I learned how to be me and in the process I have truly been set free. Now, I refuse to let anything in that does not line up with what God says about me and my life is drastically different.
If there is any part of you that doubts God's love for you, I challenge you to spend time studying the His word and discover for yourself how much He really does love you. Take care of the inner you by feeding and guarding it with nothing but the Word of God.
Defend your heart with the Word of God.
Heidirn
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
This was one of the first verses of scripture that I memorized and I've always loved it because it speaks to that desire in my heart of wanting to be prized and highly valued. God is very concerned about our heart. It is who we are, our inner man and quite often, it is the part we don't fully disclose with anyone else. But God sees it and more than that, He understands it.
Our heart is precious to God. He genuinely loves who we are more than anything else. His love for us has nothing to do with what we look like - our size, shape, coloring, or clothing. He does not care what job we have, what car we drive, or how much money we have. And His love is not changed or affected in any way by our behavior. Even those who do not know Him or refuse to know Him, He loves. God's love for you is given freely and abundantly even if you don't accept or receive it.
It is important for us to protect our heart from the influence of society and the untrue words of others or ourselves because our heart directs the course we choose to walk. The power of the heart will shape our entire life because our choices and perceptions originate there.
I, like most people, grew up wanting to be loved. But the words and the actions of people around me when I was growing up said I could only be loved if I behaved a certain way or got good grades. Basically, the impression I got (through the experiences of my childhood) said that if I did not do the right thing then I would not be loved. I accepted these external messages to be true about myself and so my heart became very fearful of making mistakes and especially of displeasing people. My self talk became condemning and my heart was imprisoned by insecurity.
But God (I love saying that! He is so good to me!)... but God has set me free. He has taught me that His love for me never changes no matter what I do. His love is a constant in my life just like the rising and setting of the sun. Even when I cannot see it, His love is always there for me.
It is not an easy process to weed the lies out of our hearts but it can be done. When my heart was full of insecurity, I struggled everyday. But as I have spent time with God, reading His word, studying it, and talking to Him I learned how to be me and in the process I have truly been set free. Now, I refuse to let anything in that does not line up with what God says about me and my life is drastically different.
If there is any part of you that doubts God's love for you, I challenge you to spend time studying the His word and discover for yourself how much He really does love you. Take care of the inner you by feeding and guarding it with nothing but the Word of God.
Defend your heart with the Word of God.
Heidirn
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