I’ve been reflecting on something a wise person once said: “The battle is always for our heart.”

Every day, we face things that try to harden, distract, or overwhelm our hearts—the chaos of the world, the pain caused by others, and even our own thoughts. It’s a constant fight, and it’s true: the battle is always for our heart.

Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Everything we say, every action we take, and every decision we make flows from the state of our hearts. That’s why our hearts are such a battleground. But guarding your heart isn’t about shutting people out or building walls of self-protection. It’s about tending the wound. It’s about forgiveness. It’s about being mindful of what we allow in—what we focus on and who we let influence us.

One of the greatest threats to our hearts is bitterness. Bitterness spreads and poisons relationships, it steals our joy and robs us of our peace. That’s why it’s so important to root it out.

Guard your heart and pursue the healing you deserve – it’s worth every effort.