Guarding your heart By Claire Musters

I so enjoyed reading the latest issue of Christian Writer. Articles on why we write, and especially the fog of self-doubt, particularly spoke to me.

Because there is so much pleasure and pain in the art of writing, isn’t there? As so many have said, we do it because we have to. But that doesn’t always make it easy.

We can sweat blood and tears over a piece of writing, and then discard it feeling it isn’t good enough.

We can write something that we are really proud of – only have to have it rejected.

Of course, we can also have those moments of high elation, when our writing is accepted for publication – perhaps in a church magazine, a website or in book form.

Huge highs – and deepest, dark lows.

We are, of course, supposed to enjoy the former – and acknowledge and process the latter.

But, through it all, it seems vitally important to me that we heed God’s words:

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

I believe that God is warning us here that when we allow bitter disappointment, or puffed-up pride, to grow in our hearts, it will come out in every area of our lives – including our writing. That’s pretty sobering isn’t it?

But alongside that warning, I love the promise that God provides in a passage in Philippians. It shows us that guarding our hearts isn’t down to us alone; it isn’t something we have to muster up in our own strength, but is a natural by-product of cultivating a lifestyle of praise and prayer before Him:

‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:4-7)

My husband is preaching on an earlier passage in Philippians tomorrow, and is still busy preparing. I don’t know what he is saying, but he did mention in passing that the phrase ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ is actually a command – we are to actively rejoice. It is a choice that we make every day, despite our circumstances.

So, actively choosing to rejoice, taking our needs and worries to God rather than dwelling on them and approaching Him with an attitude of thankfulness are all keys to receiving God’s peace, which guards our hearts.

While we have many choices to make with regards to how we cultivate that lifestyle of worship before God, the promise is that it is His peace that guards our hearts – not our own.

I find that extremely comforting – as well as challenging.

Claire is a freelance writer, speaker and editor, mum to two gorgeous young children, pastor’s wife, worship leader and school governor. She is currently Premier Christianity magazine’s freelance news and features journalist. Claire’s books include Taking off the mask: daring to be the person God created you to be, Cover to Cover: 1–3 John Walking in the truth, Cover to Cover: David A man after God’s own heart, Taking your Spiritual Pulse, CWR’s Insight Into Managing Conflict, Insight Into Self-acceptance, Insight Into Burnout and BRF Foundations21 study guides on Prayer and Jesus. She also writes Bible study notes. To find out more about her, please visit www.clairemusters.com and @CMusters on Twitter.