Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
- Proverbs 4:23
 
Wisdom will watch over, protect, and guard our hearts according to Proverbs. But what does that look like? How can we guard our hearts?
 
You might have lots of ideas. You may never have thought about this idea. But taking some time to invest here and deepen your active protection of your heart can impact every corner of your life.
 
Here are 3 ideas that we’ve found helpful …
 
1) Watch your in-take
 
Maybe your momma used to say: “Garbage in, garbage out.” What you bring into your body, into your mind, into your relationships … all of it influences your heart. Your heart is a way-station to the world. If you bring evil and bitterness into you, you’ll pass it on.
 
Watching your intake may mean choosing not to watch certain shows or listen to certain music. You may need to steer clear of certain foods. Some social situations may not be healthy for your heart. You can navigate through these rapids. 
 
Your heart is unique. Don’t let the freedoms others experience tempt you to do what you know to be unhealthy for you. Don’t try to generate a list of rules for everyone else. But you can take the time to experiment with what might be best for you.
 
2) Pro-actively cling
 
Guarding your heart isn’t just about what you need to avoid. In fact, the best way to avoid heart-pollutants is to actively pursue heart-healthy habits. Offence is the best defense.
 
Identify what you would like to be coming out of your heart. Joy. Kindness. Patience. Wisdom. If that’s what you want to come out of you, go out of your way to put it into you. Do something that brings you joy. Actively practice kindness. Make plans to put patience into action. Surround yourself with wise people.
 
3) Pause strategically to evaluate
 
Build beats into your life to unplug and check the status of your heart. You can’t always see what’s going on inside you when you’re hurtling through life at full speed. Taking a brief break can help you tack toward wisdom.
 
Think about doing this daily, weekly, and yearly. Pause for a few minutes each day for Spirit-empowered self-examination. Practice a sabbath rest every week. Incorporate reflection into your annual vacation. 
 
Pick one idea and try it this week.