When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4), he understood that without strong walls, the city was vulnerable to attack. In the same way, our hearts are the “control center” of our lives—everything we think, speak, and do flows from what’s stored inside. If our hearts are unguarded, harmful influences, bitterness, and fear can slip in unnoticed.

Guarding your heart is not about shutting people out; it’s about letting the right things in and keeping the wrong things out. This means being intentional about the voices we listen to, the thoughts we entertain, and the values we live by.

A guarded heart is a healthy heart, and a healthy heart produces life-giving words, actions, and relationships.