Proverbs 4:23, New Living Translation

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Life is but a vapor, it is here and then it is gone. What will we do with this life that comes and goes so quickly? For our lives to benefit others, there needs to be an inward change that begins in the heart. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) tells us, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Our actions not only affect our own soul, but the souls of others. There are so many people looking on to the “Christian” and seeing people who are miserable, unhappy, and have no joy or excitement in their lives. If being a “Christian” is so bad, then why would they want to pursue Christ or being a Christian?

So maybe, as Christians, we should be doing a check-up on our heart. What has caused the condition of our heart to harden, to hurt, to be bitter? Are we holding on to unforgiveness? Do we need to repent of something that has put distance between us and God? Or perhaps, there is a misunderstanding of the Scripture, and we don’t fully understand the love that God has for us.

There is a Scripture in the New Testament that Jesus shares with us. “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36, NLT) In this passage, Jesus is talking about being a slave to sin. But Jesus, who took the punishment for our sins, and became our sacrifice to atone us from our sins, has set us free from the slavery of sin. Instead of being held tirelessly to the old Mosaic Law, we are now under the new covenant where we can take our sins to the foot of the cross where the victory was won and where power is found.

By surrendering our lives to Jesus and accepting this precious gift of forgiveness, sanctification, and salvation, we become a new creation in Christ. We are no longer ruled by the old man. We no longer desire to fulfill the sinful nature of our “old man.” We now have the Spirit of God within us, and we desire to do what is right. This transformation is lived out and therefore witnessed by those looking on.

Life is not always going to be on the mountaintop, but it doesn’t have to be. How we choose to handle a situation, whether bad or good, can still show people Christ. For instance, we could let anger rule over us for something someone may have said or done. Or we can address the individual in a loving Christ- like way to work things out and give forgiveness. Don’t approach the individual with anger and unforgiveness. If need be, take time to cool off, go to the Lord, and seek Him for help in knowing how to handle the situation and that He would give grace where it is needed. God is willing to help us with whatever need we have. The Bible tells us that, “Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.” (Psalm 41:1, NLT) It is ok to say that you are struggling and need help as well. No one has a perfect life and has all the answers pertaining to life. We aren’t perfect, that’s why we need Jesus. That’s why I need Jesus. We can’t get through this life without Him.

He wants us to seek Him. He wants us to know the truth. He wants us to know Him and His nature and the love He truly has for us. Every day is a journey in faith and seeking truth. Every day should bring us closer to our Father, the One who created us and gave us life. He wants us to find fulfillment in Him. It will be impossible to find in humanity, but we can find it through Him and we can see the evidence of His love through others and how they and we choose to live. Our lives can be a testimony of the grace and love of God. Not just by word, but by action.

My hope is that these words encourage us. We don’t always get it right, and we don’t always have a perfect day. But by the grace of God, we can help to see each other through to eternity where joy is never ending– and love never ends.