It’s amazing how much we learn from Proverbs about how to succeed. We discover that our hearts are central to the state of our lives. I want to look at five heart lessons contained within the pages of Proverbs:
1. Your GPS
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Your heart is possibly your most precious possession. It is your inner GPS (or satnav) that directs the course of your life. It determines whether you will fulfil your destiny. So looking after it should probably be our priority. Yet how much time do we spend allowing God to deal with our innermost issues?
2. The Mirror
“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” Proverbs 27:19 (NLT)
My heart reveals the real me. I may be able put on a show for the world, but in truth, I’m only ever as together as my heart. The state of my soul is the state of my life. So my inner well-being matters.
3. It’s Easily Damaged
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down…” Proverbs 12:25 (AMP)
The word translated here as anxiety also means sorrow. Life can be tough. We go through difficulties and disappointments and get hurt along the way. It may look as though all is well but secretly we struggle with discouragement.
If we don’t deal with the sadness beneath the surface or the insecurities deep inside, we will be weighed down. Often that leaves us feeling deflated, even despondent.
“…Heartache crushes the spirit….” Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
When things build up on the inside, we can end up with a dull ache. If we don’t deal with it, we will be overwhelmed by it. That’s what causes many to feel like throwing in the towel.
4. Laser Surgery
“The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.” Proverbs 20:27 (NKJV)
God wants to shine His light into the depths of your heart and heal hurts that you didn’t even know are hindering your life. If you know you’re carrying old pain or battling with regrets or insecurities, get hold of our books and come along to Healed for Life. God will do more than you could ask or imagine!
5. Life after Healing
“A healed heart [is] life to the flesh…” Proverbs 14:30 (YLT)
I can’t begin to describe the freedom that lasting healing can bring. It’s not a one-off event, it’s an ongoing journey, but it leads to life! I love the way the Amplified bible unpacks what a healed heart feels like:
“A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body…” Proverbs 14:30 (AMP)
Wherever you are on your journey, pause right now and pray for God to do what He needs to do deep inside of you to bring greater freedom from inner issues. It doesn’t just improve our lives, it overflows and enhances the lives of everyone around us.
Thank you for this message, I pray lord I chose. To forgive those that have,hurt me, and the thoughts come back again and I repeat the same thing , I battle with condemnation, even though in my mind I know Jesus has forgiven
Anger quite often rises up alot I know is defensive, reading this message I see I still have insecurities, issues
I prayed your prayer and invited god in to my mind and emotions and when I went to church tonight the attack on my mind was intense negative condemning thoughts I couldn’t concentrate on the sermon
I don’t understand what is happening when I got home I lost my temper with my husband over such a silly thing ….. A self righteous anger I want to be free but don’t know how other than to confess it repent and ask the holy spirit to help me when these negative thoughts and emotions arise, I know the harder I try to stop this anger and condemnation negative thoughts replacing them with gods word the stronger they become I read the scripture to fill my mind with gods. Word but the negative emotions come and drown out the gods word please pray for me I read the word that says I am an overcomer through Jesus but seem to be on a treadmill of going around the same issues thankyou for reading this