An Anchored Heart

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I (Psalm 61:4).

An overwhelmed heart…something I’m sure we all know! That one little part of us can carry such a whirlwind of emotions! Joy, sorrow, pain, fear, hope, anxiety, disappointment, peace, discouragement; the list could go on. The question is, what do we do with an overwhelmed heart? Do we have to live our lives controlled by our tumultuous emotions? Or can we walk in victory in spite of our changeful feelings?

These days, it’s often considered a virtuous thing to expose our every emotion. The world’s mantra is “follow your heart.” However, this is contrary to the word of God, which tells us that the “heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9).” And, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool (Proverbs 28:26).” That’s a strong statement, but it shows how serious it can be if we just follow our heart and our feelings, in disregard of the Lord.

As opposed to an overwhelmed, burdened, disquieted heart, we want a strengthened (Psalm 27:14) and fixed heart (Ps. 57:7). Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident (Psalm 27:4). What a picture of a steadfast, anchored heart—a heart that would not fear even if an entire army surrounded you! Psalm 112:7 echoes the picture. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. This is the heart God wants to give us.

Are you ever surprised by the strength of your emotions, by their power to rule your life? Like an overwhelming flood, they can come in a sudden, powerful onslaught. (And do I have any witnesses that sometimes we don’t even know why?) 😊 At times like this, we need to run to our Refuge, to our Rock! “Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.”

Flee to Your Refuge

Dear friend, let me encourage you to anchor your heart in the changeless One, our Strong Tower and our Rock, and in His precious word. Take that heart to the One Who made it and Who alone can calm it. Fix your heart on what can never be moved.

Some specific ways to do this would be to breathe out a quick prayer to the Lord. I’ve found that verbalizing truth is so helpful! It makes a more powerful impact on my heart and mind. “Lord, I’m feeling fearful right now. Thank You that You are with me. Help me not to fear, but to believe Your promises.”

Another way would be to quote Scripture to yourself. My go-to verse for dealing with fear is 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Hide God’s word in your heart so that when the sudden flood of emotion threatens, you can instantly turn to your Refuge.

How about praising the Lord? Sing or listen to hymns that talk about Who God is; that express faith and trust in Him. Praise is a powerful spiritual weapon.

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, It is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford

If you have more time, then come apart with the Lord, seeking Him through His word. Take time to really soak in His truth. Search out His promises. Cast your care on Him through earnest prayer (1 Peter 5:8). Pour out your troubled heart before Him (Psalm 62:8). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).”

Doing this won’t necessarily make your situation better or solve your problems. But when we turn to the Lord, He strengthens us and gives us the grace to live based on His promises. We will always have feelings and emotions to deal with. But they don’t have to control our lives. We can anchor our hearts in Him and experience peace that passes human understanding even in the midst of crazy circumstances.

When we allow our hearts to “run away with us”, we open ourselves up to so many sins and bad decisions. These same principles we discussed above apply when our heart is tempted and pulled toward sin. Bitterness, anger, wrong desires, pride—we cannot allow these feelings to take over. We cannot act upon them, for they will lead us into sin. But Christ can fix your heart steadfastly in Himself, so that you have victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. When our heart rests upon the Word of God, and not our own understanding or wisdom, we are safe from deception.

Your heart is not trustworthy. But Christ is. Trust Him, not your heart. Put all your confidence, all your faith in Him. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Though your heart and your flesh fail and grow faint, He will be your strength. He, your Rock, will keep you; for it is His desire that we have, not an overwhelmed heart, but an anchored heart.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26