Guard Your Heart: Dealing with the Little Foxes

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom” - Song of Solomon 2:15

Welcome back dear student.

The amount of information we have to deal with on a daily basis is huge.

Our hearts and minds have to filter so much heart-breaking news, pettiness, criticism, along with many frightening reports. It takes a lot of energy just to keep up with it all.

Not to mention dealing with work, finances, child rearing, and keeping the whole show on the road.

The level of negativity is overwhelming, which is why many are struggling with their mental health (Matthew 11:28-30).

There Is No Longer a Simple “Switch Off”

When you left the schoolyard or workplace years ago, you went home to rest, but now there’s no switch off, and very little downtime.

The feeling of misplacing one’s phone creates a panic until it’s back in the hand – in case we miss something important! We are sincere in our feelings of wanting to support others by answering endless calls, and messages, not to mention reading multitudes of headlines, but it’s hard to know when to cut off.

From every side we are being bombarded with suggestions of how we should be reacting to this or that, causing people to fear responding in the wrong way in case they get cancelled or mocked online.

Now we have to navigate through such a hazardous maze of emotions, strife, and toxicity with the result that many are dealing with the effects or symptoms of complete burnout and exhaustion.

Filtering effectively has become a strong personal skillset to learn.

The saying ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ is relevant here.

One can take so much and then reach the tipping point, where the body or heart gives out and says, ‘I can’t take any more’.

Beware of the Little Foxes

In the lead Scripture above Solomon, who was the wisest king ever, identified the potential destruction that a build-up of things that should be confronted and dealt with, can have on one’s relationships and future.

The vine represents fruitfulness and harvest.

Every gardener knows that you have to be watchful for dangerous pests and conditions that can wipe out your hard work in a single night.

Years ago, a young child I knew spent his pocket money on buying a few chickens – seeing an opportunity to make money from selling eggs – only to have his hopes dashed when the fox paid a visit and wiped out all his investment. The trauma was huge for such a young boy to take in - not to mention the financial fallout! A hard lesson was learned - the fencing wasn’t secure enough to keep out the danger of the fox.

Foxes appear cute and harmless to the non-farmers among us, but they are masters of opportunity.

Boundaries are vital, in every part of life.

Personal boundaries are being compromised more and more.

Recognising the Enemy's Tactics

Our enemy the devil uses subtle means to steal, kill, and destroy.

If he appeared as the world comically portrays him – wearing a red suit with horns and a pitchfork, most folks would recognise him, and steer well clear (1 Peter 5:7-9).

So, his tactics are to create busyness doing nothing - stealing time; creating strife and offence out of nothing - dividing people (Matthew 12:25).

Focussing accusations and condemnation against God’s creation, and diluting faith by promoting false gospels. Daniel foresaw the enemy defy God by oppressing His people, wearing them out (Daniel 7:25).

There is a great delusion and falling away prophesised friend (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12).

The battlefield is becoming harder to identify.

Guard Your Heart

Be watchful, spend time studying God’s Word.

"My son, pay attention to what I say;

turn your ear to My Words.

Do not let them out of your sight,

keep them within your heart;

for they are Life to those who find them

and health to one’s whole body.

Above all else,

guard your heart,

for everything you do flows from it"

(Proverbs 4:20-23).

Mend the weak fences, confront and get rid of the little foxes, and keep them out.

Protect your mind and heart, for God has invested much in you!