By Lyyna Clark

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” -Proverbs 4:23 [Nutshell #3}

In a day when we are bombarded with all manner of influence, how wise is this advice. Refusing to let those negative harmful thoughts become a part of our thinking will set us on a path of joy rather than sorrow; strength rather than pain; and hope rather than despair. Beside this little verse I made a note in my Bible during some very dark days.

“I will not entertain thoughts of suicide or ever go there. I will not crack that door in my thinking.” -my promise to those who love me.

There’s an old 70’s song with the line, “I pushed my soul in a deep dark hole, and then I followed it in“* That’s where I often found myself until I made my promise, wrote it down, and put the date beside it. I will not go there. Whatever your weakness, whether it’s infidelity, anger, negativity or chocolate covered pretzels [you know those Snyder ones with a bit of salt and dark chocolate… speaking for a friend],

Don’t crack that door!

Guard your heart above all else. It’s just wise.

*From Kenny Rogers and the 1st Edition, What condition my condition was in. 1967