I have a saying: “what’s inside eventually shows up outside”.
In many cases, the reverse is also true: what’s showing up outside often originates from the inside.
What’s all this “inside” and “outside” talk, anyway?
For centuries, theologians, philosophers, and thinkers have conceptualized the nature of humans–who are we and how do we function? And, how do our different “parts” work together?
Without getting lost in that discussion, I think we’d all agree that we at least have 2 basic parts: our internal self and our external self.
Our internal has to do with our thinking, emotions, will, motives, imagination, and so forth. It’s all the parts of our psyche–our “heart”–that no one can see but us (and sometimes not even us).
Our external has to do with our actions and our behavior–all the things that a video camera could record.
A video camera could record that I’m playing soccer (external). A video camera could NOT record that I hate playing soccer (internal).
So far so good?
When I say that “what’s inside eventually shows up outside”, I’m saying that our “issues of the heart”, eg, anger, eventually reveal themselves in our behavior, eg, yelling.
FOR EXAMPLE, ANGER
Let’s stay with anger for a minute, as this is a great example.
There are many different ways that people experience and express anger, but it always begins as an internal experience.
Sometimes that anger comes out–sometimes it “leaks out”, and sometimes it comes out like water being blasted out of a fire hose.
When anger leaks out of someone, we’re not really sure they’re angry, but it sure feels like it. Maybe they’re being distant. Maybe they’re not talking to us. But there are “signs” of anger–clues of anger.
Jesus said it best: “ . . . for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”. Our heart has ways of revealing itself (sometimes in words spoken, as Jesus says here).
When it’s more of the “fire hose” variety, there’s no mistaking what’s going on–someone’s anger is “all out there” and everyone knows it.
It’s coming out aggressively, like yelling, screaming, throwing things.
And then of course, there are those times when anger comes out–not like a leak, and not like a fire hose–but in a healthier, more productive, controlled manner. It’s being expressed simply and directly, in a two-way conversation.
THE POINT?
My point is that many external behaviors begin as internal experiences.
Anger works this way, but so does sadness, guilt, anxiety, and shame--these all can begin showing up in our actions eventually, if not addressed.
GUARD YOUR HEART
In the Bible, King Solomon expressed something that is instructive to us all: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23).
Another version says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
There’s a lot in here that we could look at. But since this isn’t a theological exposition, let’s just focus quickly on 3 simple observations that pertain to all of us:
- Direction
- Guard
- Diligence
DIRECTION
Our “hearts” are of the highest value–much more than gold, silver, or precious stones. Why? Because it’s our HEARTS that determine the very course of our lives.
Our life direction always starts in our hearts.
Where we go and where we end up starts in our hearts–in that inner mix of thoughts, intentions, will, emotions, memories, desires, imaginations, and impulses.
Success and failure–our hearts.
From our hearts flow the springs of life.
GUARD
Since our hearts are of the highest value, we need to guard them.
How do we guard our hearts?
When I think of guarding, I think of protecting. I can protect my heart by watching what I allow into it.
Such as? Watching what I listen to, what I look at, and what I am company to.
Also, I can protect my heart by watching what I hold onto and what I let go of. What I allow to linger, as well as what I consciously nurse, nurture, and “feed”.
Back to our example with anger–am I holding onto anger too long, letting it linger in my heart? Am I going a step beyond this and actually nursing it, and feeding it? If so, it’ll “take root” and grow some toxic fruit.
If I’m guarding my heart, I’ll recognize quickly when there’s something going on “in there” that could lead to harmful outcomes “out here”.
Just like that oil light blinking on the dashboard of my car that tells me to “add oil”, so too, if I’m guarding my heart, I’ll recognize the “signs” that something needs to be paid attention to.
People who ignore their oil light eventually end up with a damaged engine that costs thousands of dollars to repair.
And people who ignore what’s going on “under the hood” of their heart?
It’s like the watchman from ancient times, on the city’s wall, keeping watch over the city–what’s coming in, what’s going out. And intervening when unwanted intruders are looking for a crack in the wall that they can slip through.
Being blind to our heart is similar to the watchman leaving his post, or getting rid of the city’s wall altogether. The city is then vulnerable to all manner of harm-doers coming and going as they please.
This city would be out of control.
Don’t handle your heart this way.
DILIGENCE
And one last idea from Proverbs 4:23. We are to guard our hearts, and keep watch over our hearts, “with all diligence”.
Diligence is an interesting word. It has to do with being careful and conscientious to the thing we’re committed to. It’s about being persistent.
Some translations use the word vigilance, which of course means keeping a careful watch.
We don’t only guard our hearts some of the time, or when we’re in trouble, or only on the weekends. We do it persistently, vigilantly, on an ongoing basis.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THERE?
So then, pay attention to what’s happening internally.
If there’s something to address, do so quickly and courageously.
But above all, don’t treat your heart as a common thing. It is the very core of who you are, and therefore of the highest value.
Guard it. Protect it. Nurture it.
With all diligence.