Guarding your heart says;
"I'm doing what's best for me",
vs being guarded that says;
"I'm defending myself against anything that could potentially hurt me!"
It's not been a secret that I have had some hurts in my life. Ive been very open about loss in my life. From losing my husband and father to death years ago, but also some hurts of losing very close friendships due to some circumstances out of my control. These extremes have caused me to both hold loyalty, honesty and trust in extremely high regard in my friendships/ relationships, and keep those qualities woven deeply into my core. It has made me protective of those that I love, but it has also had an affect of me being very guarded at times with people.
I do understand that we are indeed to guard our hearts, but I can see where I have been extremely guarded at times. There is a difference between the two.
The first means that you are aware of yourself, your wants, your needs and you are in tune with your spirit. Being guarded, however, is when you are defending yourself from getting hurt, meanwhile not doing anything to let that heart heal. We've all been there before. You may have had a broken heart, broken relationship that left you feeling broken and bitter, hurt, angry and defensive. At that point you would do anything to protect it, so you put up walls, or cut people off without explanation, or even jump to conclusions assuming the worst about people. When we lead a life that is guarded, we limit ourselves to what God has for us, and how He wants to fully use us. Lets be real, being guarded, really isn't conducive to ministry now is it.
It IS important to guard your heart. Everyone you meet should not have access to it, they are not meant to. Proverbs 4:23 states that your heart is "the wellspring of life". When you guard your heart you are applying wisdom to the situation. One who guards their heart leans on wisdom the of Lord, seeks knowledge, weighs answers, responds with confidence and sound judgment. After all when you do guard your heart the goal is to remove anything or any one's influence that can taint your thinking or move your focus off of Him. Guarding your heart involves recognizing risk and reward and exercising right judgment. Being guarded, however, only places you in survival mode. Being in survival mode is not conducive to moving forward in life.
Fear is the root of being guarded. Fear of getting hurt, or being disappointed. Guarding your heart, however, involves courage and discipline. Guarding your heart involves setting boundaries, and being able to say no. It also involves being bold enough to stand for what you believe is right and best for you or your situation.
Recognizing the difference between the two is vital to moving forward in life. One will hold you back, the other will push you forward. Trust that God knows your heart top to bottom, front to back. He knows every single nook and cranny of your heart and every single tear you have ever shed. If you are battling with being guarded, allow enough room in your heart for God's peace. He will pour His healing over you like oil, filling every broken place. When you experience God's peace, that peace will guard your heart AND your mind. Trust Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 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.
