To thrive is to grow vigorously and flourish, to make progress and prosper.  Yes, it is possible to grow vigorously and flourish, make progress and prosper in our tough times.  We can come out of difficulties with more than we brought into them.

It will come down to how we care for the heart – the mind, will, and emotions that underlie our living and responding. Guarding your heart is a critical skill for remaining in good emotional health in times of difficulty and crisis.  What does it mean to “guard the heart?”

Guarding your heart involves training the mind to see good as well as opportunity in everything.  This means we make the choice not to be swayed by circumstances and people.  It is a critical skill we can all grow in our daily living. 

Guarding the heart involves the firm belief that you will thrive.  People endure setbacks, disease, and disaster with calm and focus.  There are people who get divorced amicably.  Others face job loss, disease, injury, or financial setbacks with calm resolve to see it through to a good outcome.

Guarding the heart is a daily practice of the mind and emotions.  To build courage and heart-strength when in difficult times comes when we make habits that encourage the heart.

Pro Tip: When you notice negativity, fear, anger, bitterness, fatigue, or hopelessness, stop the train.  Guarding the heart includes investing in positivity daily.  You can do this in several ways.  Make your work and home environments more visually positive with attractive positive messaging.  Even positive messages on sticky notes can work.

Pro Tip: Do the next thing.  When you seem down, overwhelmed, uncertain, or struggling to find hope, find what needs to be done next and simply do it.  Then do the next.  Then the next. Progress promotes positivity.  It encourages us.  Forward movement lightens the burdens and encourages hope.

Guarding the heart means committing to speaking positively with others and avoiding dwelling on negatives.  This is hard to do when things seem dark, but it can be done.  This is a learned skill that requires focus and practice, but you will be amazed how it lightens your outlook and encourages your heart.

Endurance in disaster, difficulty, or crisis is a matter of guarding our own hearts.  When we are effectively guarding our own hearts, we not only thrive but are also able to encourage the hearts of others.

Now, let’s hear from the ancients on this.  King Solomon of ancient Israel gave us wise advice:

“Guard the heart, for it is the wellspring of life”

Banner image via author, dawn light reflection of Peak 10,300 on Lodgepole Lake, Boulder Chain Lakes, White Cloud Peaks Wilderness, Idaho.

None of the written content in this post is AI generated. The depiction of the ancient sign is AI Generated by the author.