Proverbs 4:23 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”     I know we’re supposed to be careful of the attitudes or responses towards God that we cultivate.    Regardless of the circumstances of life that come our way as a result of our own brokenness, the brokenness of other people and the fallen state of the world in general, we’re supposed have “attitudes of gratitude” and “give thanks” and “praise him always”.    In churches, it seems that that verse has been used especially to warn young singles about getting into “inappropriate” relationships with people that God would not have us involved with, implying that in many cases we might bring the trouble upon ourselves.

But it seems like there are some life events that befall us, circumstances beyond our control that we are subjected to, from which no amount of locks, bars, or guards around our heart can protect us.   We try to do everything right, yet it certainly appears that SOMETIMES, we have not invited chaos in.   We haven’t jumped into the whirlpool, but are unwilling swimmers caught up in the swirling, random rip-tides and currents of tragedy and evil that constantly circumnavigate our globe.     

And to deny that our attitudes or responses to these landmine events in our lives at the time are not anger or confusion or devastation or disappointment with life AND God would be dishonest.    Yet I know some Christians do not feel like they can express these emotional reactions honestly around other Christians or within the church.    This felt suppression or repression seems to prevent many people from going through the natural processes they NEED to go through in order to get to the other side of their anger, grief, confusion, or disappointment.    I thank GOD for honest, sensitive counselors and pastors who dispense understanding, permission, grace and patience instead of judgment and condemnation.  We should all be so full of grace for others who are experiencing pain.

GOD KNOWS WHAT’S IN THEIR LIVES AND HEARTS!

Who Can Know the Heart?

Well you can try to Navigate

Calculate or Investigate

You can even try to Calibrate

But you can never know the Heart

You can try to chart a Course 

Find the Source or

Take by Force

You can sneak in on a Trojan Horse

But you’ll never know the Heart

The Heart is a Mystery

Pondered throughout History

Comes without a Guarantee

It’s a Puzzle

You can try to set your Sights

Claim your Rights or

Gain Insights

You can even scale love’s Highest Heights

But you’ll never know the Heart

The Heart is a Mystery

Sought throughout Eternity

Comes without a Guarantee

It’s a Riddle (It’s a Puzzle!)