Heart attacks are serious business. From posters in the doctor’s office to public service announcements on tv we are regularly reminded of the risk factors, signs of a heart attack, and suggested ways to reduce our risk.

Our heart is crucial to life, so we need to take care of it.

But do we pay as much attention when our “heart” is under attack.

No, not the muscles, blood vessels, valves, and electrical currents working together to pump blood through our body…

the heart (figurative) from which something equally life-giving and life-guiding flows.

Above all else, guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

This heart is also crucial to life. An unhealthy heart is a serious situation.

While a heart attack is caused by physical problems, our heart (figurative) is under attack in a different way. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

How do we guard our heart when it us under this kind of attack?

Look for warning signs of a  heart  in trouble?

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45

It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart

Mark 7:15

Reduce factors that put our hearts at risk?

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27

Take preventative steps to protecting your heart?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

How to treat heart failure?

When the steps we take to look for signs of trouble, reduce risk, and take preventative steps come short and we experience heart failure…

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

 

Praying for you as seek to you guard your heart from attack.

~Jillene