those darn feelings...

i was just talking to adam on the way home from the conference yesterday about how crazy feelings are.
i was reading through philippians (a great book when you are lacking some joy and strength) and i looked a little deeper at the words in chapter 4 verses 6-7. (with the help of my beloved e-sword, which i recommend EVERYONE gets!) and this is how it goes
i know most of us have heard it a million times, but verse 6 says "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Then verse 7 says "and the peace of God which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus". the word guard keep means
be a watcher in advance, that is, to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates); figuratively to hem in, protect: - keep (with a garrison).

so, God is hemming in...protecting, guarding...wait for it....
your heart. BUTTTTTT....i looked up heart, and it means the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed).

did you get that??? your FEELINGS!!! why am i so driven by my stupid feelings?!?!? i can either be a total go-getter, or a total lazy bum...same person, same circumstances, different feelings! it's so weird!! but...God promises that he will hem in, guard - like a man on gaurd, protect my feelings!! isn't that what we need??? for our stupid feelings to have a guard just standing there pushing away and fighting off all the sadness, worry, fear, doubt??? anyone with me here??? God's word is so good. so relevent, so NEEDED!! my prayer today is that we will let God be the guard of our hurting, needy hearts and minds. i know satan is throwing those darts at us all...i don't think any one of us is in the place where we don't have a hurting heart, in one way or another. maybe it's not overtaking and consuming you today, but maybe it will be tomorrow. let's hold on - till our knuckles are white - and never let go!! (thanks for the mental picture mel, of holding on!!)
keep holding on!!!