Pay Attention to Your Heart--Your Whole Life Depends on it.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. - Proverbs 4:23
I grew up in a culture that often dismissed matters of the heart. Perhaps this was a reaction to the emotionalism of the 1960s and 1970s, where decision-making was often based on the philosophy of "do what feels good or right." The Church, in turn, distanced itself from anything deemed "touchy-feely," Counseling and psychological insights were often dismissed as "worldly" or unnecessary. Faith, it was said, should be enough—if you truly trusted God, you wouldn’t need counseling. You would be spiritual enough to suppress emotion.
Or perhaps this mindset stemmed from a misinterpretation of Jeremiah 17:9, which states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked." Many took this to mean that feelings were inherently evil rather than understanding the context: Jeremiah was warning against the idolatrous hearts of Judah, not condemning emotions themselves for all people ever. The truth is, God created us with emotions for a purpose. They are neither inherently good nor evil; rather, they are indicators of what is happening within us. Like fire, emotions can be destructive if uncontrolled, but when directed properly, they can serve a holy purpose.
The Western Church, influenced by Greek philosophy, has long emphasized logic and reasoning while being suspicious of feelings. However, to deny emotions is to lean into Stoicism, and to label all feelings as "fleshly" is more akin to Gnosticism than biblical truth. The Bible presents a more integrated approach. Jesus Himself expressed emotions—He rejoiced (Hebrews 1:9), wept (John 11:35), felt deep compassion (Matthew 9:36), and even expressed righteous anger (Mark 11:15-17). Ephesians 4:26 reminds us, "Be angry and do not sin." This verse shows that even difficult emotions have a place when handled righteously. There are a plethora of Scriptures demonstrating this truth about how emotions were presented in the Bible. I have presented only a sample. Further study and prayer on the topic is strongly advised.
A biblical approach to emotions involves acknowledging them, examining their roots, and aligning them with God’s truth. Galatians 5 highlights this duality: emotions can reflect either the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit. Our feelings serve as a thermostat, revealing what is happening in our minds and hearts. This is precisely what Proverbs 4:23 teaches—our thoughts and beliefs shape our emotions, which in turn, influence our actions. If we were meant to rely only on logic, why would Scripture urge us to guard our hearts?
This is where Biblical Cognitive Therapy comes in. Many believers misinterpret 2 Corinthians 10:5, thinking that taking thoughts captive means suppressing or ignoring them. However, how can we capture something we refuse to acknowledge? True healing involves recognizing and examining our thoughts and emotions, rather than bypassing them with spiritual platitudes. Romans 12:2 speaks of the renewal of the mind—this is a process of identifying subconscious beliefs, aligning them with God’s truth, and allowing His Spirit to bring transformation. Healing often requires both prayer and practical action.
Unfortunately, many who have experienced trauma, particularly within the Church, struggle because their wounds have been left untreated. They fear that acknowledging pain means they lack faith or forgiveness. But Jesus' mission, as stated in Luke 4:18-19, was to "heal the brokenhearted" and "set at liberty them that are bruised." He didn’t shame the wounded—He restored them. As His followers, we are called to do the same.
Isaiah 58:12 describes this beautifully: "You shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In." This is the mission of biblical coaching and counseling—to help people heal from the breaches in their hearts, the emotional floodgates that have been broken by trauma, and to guide them back into the wholeness and purpose God intended.
How have you dealt with the wounds of your heart? Do you need healing, comfort, or simply someone to walk alongside you? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.
And how do you respond when others are hurting—especially those wounded by the Church or by people they trusted? Do you listen? Do you offer words of hope and understanding? Do you, like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, stop to bind up their wounds?
The Church should not be a place where pain is dismissed, but where healing begins. Let’s be a people who restore, rather than ignore; who embrace, rather than shame. Because Jesus, our ultimate Healer, has called us to love as He loved—to guard hearts, not harden them.
If you need someone to listen and help you sort out your feelings, core values, and life experiences to gain new perspectives, I would be glad to meet with you.
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