Nougat 13

To stand guard is to take preventative measures against attacks. What is it that we need to guard, and how? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On Guard/En Garde

I confess, I don’t know the full essentials of fencing. But the romantic in me once saw a woman learning to fence (use a sword professionally) and the instructor kept saying en garde (be on the defense). While what I heard was: ’on guard’, I grasped the concept. Stand somewhat at attention, top of sword pointing toward the threat, armour on, and brain ready to attack the perceived enemy.

It wasn’t long before sword fights was part of my imagination, and I’d be grabbing the first stick in sight, ready to be in ‘on guard’ mode. That passion literally fizzled when sword-fighting with one sister resulted in my other sister accidentally sustaining burns on her shin. But the fascination remained to the extent that our Nougat reminds me of that stance. Siblings, I will look quickly at the biological functions, then connect that to our Nougat.

Our hearts and minds provide core life functions for any human. The heart pumps and purifies blood throughout our bodies and that keeps us alive. A heart that malfunctions is a risk, and it is also one of the protected organs in the chest cavity. Our minds are equipped with the capacity to reason, make decisions, send messages from our brains to the rest of our bodies. One could say it’s the control center of our thoughts and actions. Like the heart, our brain is protected, but in the head, not the chest. That tells us there’sa premium on their physical safety.

Telling us to keep our hearts and minds on guard seems superfluous; they’re already well protected. Not when we’re looking from the perspectives of emotions (heart) and faith (mind). So there is a sense in which we are always in defense mode. The enemy of our souls has got tricks and traps aimed at keeping our hearts and minds unprotected. If successful, it is so easy for us to lose focus on The One Who actually keeps us and redeems us. And worry is guaranteed to attack both our hearts and minds in one go.

Our defense: remain on guard, with posture and sword at the ready, and our protective gear fully in place. How so – by prayer and petition with praises to God. Those will generate God’s peace, and that’s the end of the battle. And remember – our sword IS the Word of God, which lifts us up and offers us hope in the midst of worry.

So each time the worry comes – and it will return time and again – let’s do a quick inventory. Is the worry justified – as in, we ask ourselves, can I solve the issue in my current state, or do I have natural resources to overcome? That’s important because we’re often overlooking solutions that are right before us.

If we’re not equipped, lack resources (human or material), then it is justified, and we have to move to our next step: to identify a source that can help us overcome the worry. God is our Source and can point us in the right direction, or send reinforcements our way. So, in lieu of worry, we go to God. We already have direct access. Going to God strengthens our faith. (This is especially the case when we recount God’s expertise in problem solving – begin with Psalm 103, which itemizes some of God’s skills).

Apply Praise – thanks for what God has done and will do – heart engaged.

Pray earnestly – inviting trusted people to support us in prayer – faith engaged.

Repeat as often as needed: Petition – heart and mind protected.

Peace confirms that our defense system is en garde and ready to sustain us past the worry.

Siblings

En garde! Let’s defend our hearts and minds from worry and the enemy’s wiles.

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May all we seek be found in Christ