Ang puso mo’y ingatang mabuti at alagaan, pagkat iyan ang siyang bukal ng buhay mong tinataglay.

Kawikaan 4:23

“Pas, sa totoo lang grabe po talaga ‘yung ginawa niya!” naiinis na sambit ni Gia sa kanyang pastor. Isinumbong niya ang lahat ng masasamang bagay na ginawa ng ka-churchmate nila. She was really devastated and sad dahil bukod sa nasirang tiwala malaking pera din ang tinangay mula sa kanya. Kung iisipin she has every right to be mad, di ba?

The pastor thoughtfully listened and looked at her with compassion. After niyang makahinga sa pagra-rant ng mga offense, the pastor gently said to Gia, “Anak, sa lahat ng ito, always remember to guard your heart. Huwag mong hahayaan na kainin ka ng nararamdaman mo dahil sa ginawa niya sa iyo.” Maluha-luhang nag-agree si Gia sa sinabi ng pastor. Sa tindi ng emosyon niya habang nag-eenumerate ng lahat ng offenses, hindi niya namalayan na kinakain na pala siya ng galit.

There are many difficult and toxic behaviors nowadays, and from time to time, we have to be reminded of Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) that says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Hindi naman tayo pinagbabawalan to express our emotions, ipinapaalala lamang sa atin ni Lord that our hearts must be the breeding ground of love and not hate.

Tulad natin, narasanan din ni Jesus ang mga toxic behavior ng mga tao sa paligid Niya. But Jesus’ strong resolve was to always focus on His Father and to do His mission with a loving and tender heart.

If you have been betrayed, abused, manipulated, and you feel completely drained from toxicity, don’t be afraid to have a strong resolve to fully trust in the Lord. Take a step forward toward healing and recovery, at hayaan mong ang Diyos ang magbigay ng hustisya sa naging pagkakasala sa iyo. Let your heart be a fertile soil of love and grace, and by His Spirit bear fruit and overcome evil with good.