I myself often tell this to my female single friends to guard the heart. I say this to them and even to myself as if it is a regular expression like “hello”, “hi or “welcome”, until I spoke to a young lady who I met three months ago.
She asked me of the meaning of guarding the heart after I told her that line.
I stopped and realised that it really is a big thought to say specially, if it is meant as an advice or a loving prodding. While I searched in my heart the meaning of “guarding the heart”, it came to mind that it may be the probable reason on why people, myself included, find it hard to guard the heart is because, the meaning and intention of guarding the heart is incomprehensible, on why it is needful. Thus, do-able steps on how to guard the heart seem hard to do because the noble reason on doing so is something has not been pondered upon and has not been understood, With this, it resulted to failure to guard the heart.
The intention of guarding the heart is not to supress the feelings or treat your feelings to be invalid. It is not also the intention of guarding the heart to harden your heart from loving and enjoying the pleasure. Neither, guarding the heart promotes foolishness by considering what you are feeling to be not childish and is shallow.
But guarding is protecting your heart ultimately from lies.
If truth sets you free, then, lies hold you as captives. When we are captives, there is bondage…there is misery …..there is hurt.
Here are do-able and comprehensible steps of how to guard the heart:
- Guarding your heart is knowing your heart
It means knowing what you want, your purpose of wanting or doing what you are doing or wanting. It means knowing your limitations, your weakness, your strength.
Classic example: I would like to be married. So, knowing that in my heart tells me that I would only date people who can get married.
Classic example 2: You keep on asking a person out. You keep on calling the same person. There might be a good reason. Identify that reason and assess.
- Keep your eyes opened.
This is best achieved by eliminating day dreaming.
Classic example: In your dreams you and “your friend” who had just asked you out are already married, when you just dated once. Lol
- Hear in audible voice the words of God
Most of the time, when a girl/lady/person is filled with self- emotions, even when we pray, we will not be able to hear the word of the Lord or even determine in our hearts the will of the Lord. So, don’t just pray about it. Share your feelings/your thoughts to a trusted friend or family member who knows you and cares for you. They will most likely present to you the truth if the cloud of romance and the idea of being love has already clouded your right judgement.
- Ask the person
(This is my most dreaded recommended step.)
To be continued tomorrow.
Love and beauty,
B
The Chronicles of Benia 