Journal entry June 17, 2026

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. Proverbs 14:30

Scripture here tells us that what happens in the heart eventually surfaces in our lives. The heart and our life conditions, are connected.

A heart that is at peace, tranquil, and placid is a gentle heart. A heart at peace is whole and healthy. But a jealous heart begins a slow, internal rot. In Hebrew thought, bones represent the inner framework of life. Spiritually speaking, rotting bones produce bitterness, resentment, distrust of God, and coldness towards others. An envious heart also creates an emotional rot. Resulting in tension, anxiety, anger, and dissatisfaction with life. These are the symptoms of an unhealthy heart.

Is it any wonder God tells us to guard our hearts?

I think guarding our hearts begins by taking every thought captive. When we feel stressed, we need to take a moment to evaluate what we have been focusing on. Challenge negative narratives with the truth of God's word.

Guarding our heart is incredibly difficult to do alone. We need to surround ourselves with trusted friends, mentors, and a supportive community who will encourage us. We were created for community, for fellowship. We need one another more than we may know. Isolation is the work of our enemy.

Heavenly Father I pray today you will help us to guard our hearts. Help us to take every thought captive and to enagage in community with those who have our best interst in mind. Help us be the kind of friend, brother or sister that helps others guard their hearts. I pray in Jesus name. AMEN