Gratitude: A Key to Guarding the Heart

“Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverb 4:23).

The product of our life is not the sum of our actions, but the effects of our thoughts. When we dwell on hurt and pain we become bitter. Then we reproduce that same hurt and pain in other people, and it becomes a cycle of bitterness. Of which, this world already has enough.

But Christ commands us to dwell in Him. He says, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Part of the way that we do this is through a great sense of appreciation for what He has done in our lives. That is why the Psalmist writes, “restore unto me the joy of your salvation” (from Psalm 51:12).

David wrote this after he slept with Bathsheba. Think about that for a second. He knew that if he stayed in the pits of despair that he would be crushed by it. So he cried out for the LORD to restore unto him the joy of his salvation. He had an understanding that if he could rejoice in the LORD, his strength would return to him. The joy of the LORD was his strength. He was shifting his focus from his sin to the LORD’s salvation; and, in turn, protecting his heart.

In Philippians 4:4-7 Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice…Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts” Isn’t it interesting that Paul writes twice to rejoice and then says to let your prayers be done with thanksgiving? Paul understood that gratitude is a way that we guard our heart.

What we dwell on colors our outlook on everything. Jesus said, “The light of the body is the eye” (from Matt. 6:22). Light illuminates our reality. If our light source was red, everything we see would have a red hue. When our eyes are on grief then it colors our whole world with grief. When our eyes are on the LORD and all that He has done for us our life becomes vivid display of His glory.

That is why it is so important to control what we think on. We must return to a deep sense of appreciation for what God has done for us. And let the outpouring of that appreciation flood into everything we do. Father, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

God bless you all, and may the peace of God keep your hearts!