There’s a phrase that people use a lot nowadays and that is “I’ve got issues” Actually, you usually don’t say that about yourself; you probably say that about somebody else! “They have real issues!” Well, this verse in Proverbs beat you right to that phrase. God says that out of your heart flow all the issues of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 says “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow all the issues of life.”
If those issues are negative, then what comes out is ugly. You and others will drink of that water and it can be a stream of something other than life!
Out of your heart – your spirit – comes every single issue of your life; not just church things but everything that pertains to your life. Issues with marriages, jobs, your mental and physical well-being – every issue comes from the heart.
If you just deal with the issue, you can get done with one issue and as soon as you do, another one will pop up.
Rather than pounding on the issues that come out, Proverbs 4:23 says that if you change the heart you can change the issues, or what comes out of your life. Often, a whole lot of work and effort is made on the issues and trying to deal with the issues. But if you deal with the heart, you can deal with every issue of your life.
God doesn’t just change the issues of your life; He goes to the heart of the issue – to your heart – and starts to deal with your heart. It’s a smart move to use time and energy on your heart and it’s an even smarter move to allow God to change your heart.
Keep tender towards Him and guard your heart with all diligence so that what flows out is sweet and clean and you and others can drink of that stream of life!
Patsy was born in the mountain town, of Salida, Colorado. She grew up as the daughter of Pentecostal pastors in the farmlands of Colorado. Her parents, Bill and Ginger Behrman pioneered and pastored Assembly of God churches in Castle Rock and Burlington, Colorado.
As Patsy Behrman, she graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1977 and then worked at Kenneth Hagin Ministries and Rhema Bible Training Center for 16 years as vocal director of Faith Creations, the All Faiths' Crusades, the Director of the Prayer and Healing Center, and as an instructor at Rhema Bible Training Center.
Patsy is compelled to help believers find their place in Christ. Her message, which often emphasizes prayer, is marked by a personal pursuit of God that has inspired many believers to also develop their own walk with God in a real and purposeful way.