A story was once told about a frog placed in room temperature water and was kept on a stove to boil. As the temperature of the water rose, the frog kept no importance to the situation on ground, it wasn’t before long, the unbothered frog became cooked.
You may wonder what the essence of this illustration is? What has it got to do with me as a believer ?
Well. Let us look at the story in perspective…
As believers, who live in a secular world. A lot of distractions and temptations come our way daily, hence we must make conscious efforts to guard our hearts diligently. A lot of things might cause us to worry, some might cause us to think in a pattern that is not in line with God’s word and others might seek to derail us from the faith.
It is often said that we gravitate towards what we constantly feed ourselves with. Ever being in prayer or worship and a song that you innocently heard on the radio filters through your thoughts? Or a scene from a not-so-good movie flashes by and you began to wonder why?
“So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life ”-Proverbs 4: 23 TPT
From the verse above we have been admonished to be careful of how we think because our thoughts make us who we are. To simply put- put a guard over your heart.
In this day and age where it seems like the war against the sanity and purity of our heart is driven by the media, we must do a constant review of what and who we listen to and follow because over time these things as little and harmless as they might seem could build strongholds and influence our thought process.
In this day and age where it seems like the war against sanity and purity of heart is driven by the media, we must do a constant review of what and who we listen to and follow. Click To TweetThe catch here is that it is not only temptations that seek to take us away: worry, anxiety are also culprits as they constantly tend to make our cares appear bigger than what God can handle.
It is not only temptations that seek to draw us away from God; worry, anxiety are also culprits as they constantly tend to make our cares appear bigger than what God can handle. Click To Tweet“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail off your life, then Gods’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ”- Philippians 4:6-7 TPT.
How can I guard my heart you may ask? How do I ensure my thoughts are in line with God’s precepts?
One practical way to guard our hearts is to constantly fill them with God’s word. We constantly need to have the Word in our hearts and on our lips. By so doing, you will be nourishing your heart as a believer. Thus when you feel overwhelmed, or you feel your thoughts and affections are drifting- Get into the word.
“I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you”- Psalm 119: 11 HCSB
Secondly, praying effectively helps us relay our fears, worries, and all that might be a burden to the Father in a sweet hour of communion. In prayer, our hearts and convictions are renewed, our fears are dispelled and our faith strengthened. When it looks like everything is taking you away from your time of fellowship and prayer, it is always best to watch that temperature. There should never be a time in our walk with God when we feel he won’t listen to us or feel we have strayed too far. He longs to hear you and all you go through.
Praying effectively helps us relay our fears, worries to the Father in a sweet hour of communion. In prayer, our hearts and convictions are renewed, fears are dispelled and faith strengthened Click To TweetFurthermore, as believers, we should make it a matter of importance to censor what we consume. From movies, music, and everything that might seem to distract us.
“Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we yearn for all that is above, for that is where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm”- Colossians 3:1-2 TPT.
So beloved, it is time to check that temperature.
Stay aflame, Cheers!!!
