February 1: Heart Check

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“Heart Check”

Theme: The Heart at the Centre

Key Text: Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Sharon Campbell-Danvers

Back home in Jamaica, we had to put grills on every door and window, and more recently, we even added cameras to the house. All of this was done to give us a sense of protection. Yet, even with those measures in place, I still sometimes feel concerned.

When I recently went home, seeing all the grills again took some getting used to. I had to keep reminding myself to lock the doors behind me and double-check everything. I was so diligent that it practically stressed me out.

Then it made me pause and reflect. What if we devoted the same level of effort, energy, and attention to guarding our hearts?

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

This verse reminds us that our hearts, our thoughts, emotions, and inner lives shape everything we do. When we guard our hearts and keep them aligned with God, our words, choices, and actions will flow in ways that bring life, peace, and purpose.

Diligence means careful, consistent, and intentional effort. In this verse, to keep thy heart with all diligence means to guard your heart attentively and faithfully, just like someone protecting something precious. It is not casual or occasional. It is deliberate, watchful, and ongoing.

In simple terms, Scripture is telling us to protect our hearts carefully, because everything in our lives flows from it.

Just as we lock doors, secure windows, and install cameras to protect our homes, God calls us to be just as intentional about what we allow into our hearts, what we watch, what we listen to, what we dwell on, and what we hold onto emotionally. What we let in will eventually show up in how we live, how we love, and how we respond to others.

If we guarded our hearts with the same seriousness we guard our homes, we would see greater peace, stronger faith, and healthier relationships begin to grow.

Prayer

Lord, help me to guard my heart with wisdom and care. Keep it aligned with Your truth so that everything I do reflects Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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