Heartbreaks and heartaches. These are some of the deepest wounds we deal with. When my own heart was under attack the Holy Spirit told me to guard my heart.

My heart wants to go back to the wound and find a solution but my mind can’t find the way. I need this discovery for my own situation. But maybe you do too?

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, my question is — am I doing the guarding or is God? I think this is a relevant question, because if it’s me, then I’m not doing a very good job.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [John 14:27]
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Okay. This gives me something to do — pray in every circumstance and every situation with specific requests. When I do that, the scripture doesn’t say here that God will do what I ask, but tells me in Christ Jesus, my heart (and mind) will be guarded with peace. This translation references John 14, so let’s go there.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

What is God’s remedy for a troubled or fearful heart? Peace. In the world’s mindset it would be to fix the problem. But from heaven’s perspective it is to trust. God is not dormant and doesn’t turn a blind eye to our heartache.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Two scriptures would be enough indication that God is interested in our hurt hearts but let me add one more.

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I admit, I knew these things already. But when the Spirit told me to guard my heart I felt there was more I should do. The scriptures are pretty clear.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

When I read the previous verse in The Passion Translation, I noticed they added the word mercy. I looked at the notation and it told that in context it was God’s mercy that was being questioned. So in my context this is appropriate as well. I need to remember His mercy and allow it into my heart as a healing balm.

So, here is the plan: pray, trust, and allow God’s mercy to work.

Just a side note: Part of me, the part that is open to wearing my heart on my sleeve, wanted to be more specific so my friends will know how to pray. But part of me wanted to be obedient to the guarding part of this situation, and I’m proud of myself for not over-sharing. God knows the specifics and I still covet your prayers.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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