Strong Settings
Guarding Our Hearts: God's Protective Care
Sitting across from my dear friend in a for a girls’ lunch, our conversation took an unexpected turn. As I picked up my glass to take a drink — in the middle of my friend updating me on life — she “squirreled” by interrupting herself to comment on my engagement ring. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she said, "Wow! I've never seen that many prongs on an engagement ring before."
Huh? I repeated back what she had just said to me silently in my head because I had never heard anyone comment on that specific detail before. Intrigued, I glanced at her hand, where her square diamond was secured by four prongs. Then, I looked down at my own ring—a round diamond held by ten prongs. It was a detail I had never even considered until that moment.
My mind cut to the story of where the ring came from. My engagement ring wasn't just any piece of jewelry; it was a gift passed down from my grandmother, Elsie Elizabeth. She and I shared the same middle name and birthday. She was a woman of extraordinary strength and resilience.
But her story was marked by challenges. In her early seventies, my grandmother battled ovarian cancer. Despite the pain and uncertainty, she radiated unwavering faith, generosity toward others, and love—a legacy she imparted to me through this ring.
As I traced the outline of those ten prongs with my opposite hand, I couldn't help but reflect on the significance they held in my life. They were more than just a secure setting for a precious gem; they represented the layers of protection and support woven into the fabric of my family.
In that simple exchange over lunch, I realized the profound lessons embedded in this seemingly ordinary detail. My grandmother's journey taught me the importance of guarding my heart—of surrounding it with the protection.
Her passing left a void in my life, but her legacy still guides me. Each day, I strive to live her legacy with the same tenacious faith and resilience she did. I wear “her” ring, not as fashion, but a tangible connection to a woman whose spirit makes up much of who I am.
We can imagine our hearts are like precious jewels held in a strong setting, each part of the ring protecting and supporting it’s central treasure. Just as we safeguard valuable things, we must also protect our hearts from harm and deceit.
To keep our hearts safe, we need to be careful about what influences us. Just like we buy insurance to protect our belongings, we should invest in spiritual protection for our hearts. I have ten things I try to remember to keep my heart safe, just like the ten prongs on my ring:
1. Anchor Yourself in Faith: Just as each prong secures the diamond in place, let your faith anchor your heart firmly in the truth of God's promises (Hebrews 6:19).
2. Surround Yourself with Love: Like the prongs encircle the diamond, surround yourself with the love of family, friends, and fellow believers (1 John 4:7).
3. Embrace Resilience: Each prong represents resilience, holding firm in the face of adversity. Embrace resilience as a mindset, knowing that setbacks and struggles are opportunities for growth and transformation (James 1:2-4).
4. Practice Self-Compassion: Just as the prongs act like a cradle to hold the diamond gently, practice self-compassion to nurture your heart with kindness and understanding (Psalm 139:14).
5. Set Boundaries: Like the prongs define the boundaries of the diamond, set healthy boundaries to protect your heart from harm (Proverbs 4:23).
6. Seek Wisdom: Each prong symbolizes wisdom, guiding your heart with discernment and insight. Seek wisdom through prayer, meditation, and study of God's Word (Proverbs 3:13).
7. Practice Gratitude: Just as the prongs hold the diamond securely, practice gratitude to anchor your heart in thankfulness and joy (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
8. Cultivate Joy: Like the prongs enhance the brilliance of the diamond, cultivate joy in your heart through praise and worship (Psalm 16:11).
9. Forgive Freely: Each prong represents forgiveness, releasing the weight of resentment and bitterness from your heart (Ephesians 4:32).
10. Stay Grounded in Your Purpose: Just as the prongs anchor the diamond in place, stay grounded in your unique purpose and identity in Christ (Proverbs 19:21).
And it's not just about protection—it's also about showing Who we belong to and staying committed. Our hearts belong to God, so we seek to honor Him in everything we do.
A diamond's brilliance hinges on its strong setting; our hearts need a strong foundation to safeguard their purity and integrity.
A diamond shines brightest in a strong setting. The wisdom of scripture shields our hearts from worldly evil, guiding us toward a life filled with the best the Spirit has for us .Friend, today I pray that God's love and grace surround you, changing you and shaping your journey to align with His perfect plan. Friend, today I pray that God's love and grace surround you, changing you and shaping your journey to align with His perfect plan.
