There’s a phrase that people use a lot nowadays and that is “I’ve got issues” Actually, you usually don’t say that about yourself; you probably say that about somebody else! “They have real issues!” Well, this verse in Proverbs beat you right to that phrase. God says that out of your heart flow all the issues of your life.

Proverbs 4:23 says “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it flow all the issues of life.”

If those issues are negative, then what comes out is ugly. You and others will drink of that water and it can be a stream of something other than life!

Out of your heart – your spirit – comes every single issue of your life; not just church things but everything that pertains to your life. Issues with marriages, jobs, your mental and physical well-being – every issue comes from the heart.

If you just deal with the issue, you can get done with one issue and as soon as you do, another one will pop up.

Rather than pounding on the issues that come out, Proverbs 4:23 says that if you change the heart you can change the issues, or what comes out of your life. Often, a whole lot of work and effort is made on the issues and trying to deal with the issues. But if you deal with the heart, you can deal with every issue of your life.

God doesn’t just change the issues of your life; He goes to the heart of the issue – to your heart – and starts to deal with your heart. It’s a smart move to use time and energy on your heart and it’s an even smarter move to allow God to change your heart.

Keep tender towards Him and guard your heart with all diligence so that what flows out is sweet and clean and you and others can drink of that stream of life!