A New Year's Guide to Guarding Your Heart

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

Ahhhh, a New Year! Can you feel that sweet sense of renewal? There's nothing quite like that New Year feeling! It’s invigorating and refreshing all in one! The opportunity for a fresh start, to turn the page, and set meaningful goals for growth and change.

Many New Year’s goals often focus on external achievements or healthier lifestyles. But what if, this year, and every year thereafter, instead of prioritizing outward changes, we turned our attention inward to something far more precious in God's eyes: the heart?

There’s something truly remarkable about the heart. It’s not just an organ that sustains life; it’s where both joys and sorrows intertwine. At its core, it's what makes us human, carrying the weight of our experiences while, within its depths, the seeds of tomorrow’s dreams take root long before they have the chance to bloom.

Proverbs 4:23 gently urges us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This timeless wisdom reminds us to be mindful of what we allow into our hearts. Are we welcoming peace, hope, and compassion, or letting bitterness and fear settle in?

Guarding our hearts doesn’t mean building walls or living in fear. It’s about nurturing the wellspring within us, the source from which all aspects of our lives flow. It's being intentional about the media we consume, the conversations we have, the company we keep, and the thoughts we entertain. It’s a daily practice, a quiet act of courage that doesn’t demand perfection, but small, intentional steps taken with consistency and care.

Every day, we have the chance to make choices that guard our hearts, whether it’s starting the day with prayer, filtering our thoughts through Scripture, or surrounding ourselves with supportive people of faith. These choices invite peace and joy to take root within us, transforming us one intentional step at a time. It's in these moments, as we step forward in faith, that we actively partner with God in the stewardship of our hearts.

The good news is that we aren't meant to do this "heart work" alone. God meets us where we are, providing the wisdom and strength we need for each step. Our role is to keep showing up, keep inviting Him in, keep being honest about our struggles, and keep trusting that our hearts, though fragile at times, can become steady conduits for every good thing He intends to bring into and through our lives.

This year, as we pursue our New Year's goals, let's also invite God to search our hearts and reveal any barriers that might be standing between us and a deeper relationship with Him. Let's let go of what no longer nurtures our spiritual growth and commit to doing the "heart work," allowing Him to transform our hearts to be more like His.