Guarding What God Is Growing - Your Nightly Prayer - May 16th
Guarding What God Is Growing
Your Nightly Prayer
by Chelsey DeMatteis
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23
SOMETHING TO PONDER
When I reflect on the years I have walked with Jesus, I wish I could see a painting done from each season. There has been more growth than I ever imagined. There has been more pruning and replanting than I thought was possible the day I surrendered my life to Jesus. It’s all been good, but it’s not all been easy. Within that space, I’ve found a sacredness in guarding the secret places of my heart and keeping them between just Jesus and me. I don’t withhold what needs to be brought to the light, but there is something to be said for holding what is most delicate and trusting it only into the hands of my savior.
I’ll forever remember standing in a parking lot with a group of women I hardly knew, sharing a very intimate detail of my story. As the words flowed out, I wanted to take them all back and store them up in my heart. I shared what should have been guarded and certainly needed more of the Lord's tender care. For years, when I’d see one of the women, I’d wonder if she thought of what I shared in the parking lot like I did each time I saw her.
I think this is a common theme in the Christian life. We share a lot in the beginning days of our walk with Jesus, and as we grow, we don’t share less because we’re withholding God’s testimonies; rather, we see the need to keep some things between the Lord and us as He works them out.
The book of Proverbs offers much wisdom on controlling the words we share and the way we talk. It reminds us that we have a great internal work going on between the Spirit of God and us. He is chiseling away the things of the flesh and planting new seeds that will bear fruit in due time.
Paul even echoes this same theme in 1 and 2 Timothy. He calls us to guard what has been entrusted to us. These are the gifts we’ve been given, but also the stories God has written in our lives. Our testimony is a beautiful gift, but one we are to share when God prompts us.
So this poses the question: if we’re protecting what God is doing in our hearts, how will we ever know when to share what He has done? Thankfully, scripture reveals that the Lord will make a way and stir your heart to share confidently. He will guide you as you share the details, keeping close what is not yet to be told and giving clarity on what will be most powerful to the one(s) listening.
Take some time to pray with the Lord and ask Him to reveal the parts of your story that He wants you to share with someone. Then, jot down the work He is doing in the hidden sacred space of your heart.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
Thank you for the work you do in my heart. Please give me the wisdom and discernment to know what I need to keep close to my heart and what you’ve called me to share. I pray for the boldness to share my testimony and also for a quiet courage to not share when the flesh wants to jump into a conversation. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance. In Jesus’ name,
Amen
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
- How has God transformed your life?
- What is God actively working on in your heart?
- What is a part of your testimony you feel led to share?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Benjamin Davies
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
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