‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ‘ Proverbs 4:23

Guard: to tend to carefully; a defensive state or attitude; the act or duty of protecting or defending. Merriam Webster Online Dictionary 4/29/2020

During a sermon, our pastor was speaking about the shows we watch on TV. He asked us to think about the content of our favorite shows. Do we “overlook” the strong language and violence? Do we think it will not affect us?

This is what I was telling myself. I can overlook a violent scene or two, it is just a TV show. No big deal …. or is it?

I like to solve puzzles and I am intrigued by forensic shows. Unfortunately, in order to solve those puzzles, something violent has to have happened. Usually, someone is murdered. Even though the forensic science used to solve the crime was fascinating, the crime upset me. I could not overlook the pain and suffering to an innocent person and their loved ones.

Was I guarding my heart? Was my heart becoming immune to cruelty and suffering? For that reason, I had to adjust my TV preferences. I do not want to become immune. I want to continue to have compassion. I want kindness and love to flow from my heart. I don’t want to begin to feel it is okay to be hurtful to others.

Each day, I have to remind myself to guard my heart.