Guarding Your Heart in the Last Days: Staying Spiritually Strong Amid Chaos

If you look around, there’s a lot happening in the world. News outlets and social media constantly bombard us with negativity, which can feel overwhelming and lead to anxiety and depression.

As believers, this is why we must be diligent in guarding our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says,

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

Another translation puts it this way: "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts."

There is a strong connection between the heart and your thoughts—they are closely intertwined. What we consume in media, from influencers, and even those closest to us, has a real impact on our minds. If we are not careful, it doesn’t take long for our thoughts to spiral downward. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to be intentional about what we allow to influence our thinking, because it shapes the course of our lives.

Keeping Perspective in Turbulent Times

Perspective matters, especially considering where the world and life seem to be headed. Jesus prophesied about the times to come. In Matthew 24:4-8, He says:

"Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."

He also gives hope, promising that the Son of Man will return in glory:

"And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather His chosen ones from all over the world."

Even though we may feel close, no one knows the day or hour of His return. Jesus instructs us to stay alert, to not become lax in doing what He calls us to do, and to not be dismayed by events that were prophesied long ago.

Guarding Your Heart Daily

Here are practical ways to remain alert without letting your light be extinguished:

Be Careful What You Read and Watch

Matthew 6:22-23 says:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"

Whatever your focus is, it affects your spiritual state. If you meditate constantly on the wrongs in the world, you can end up feeling hopeless. Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick."

The heart and mind are interconnected. What affects one affects the other. Instead, meditate on God’s Word. Psalms 1 promises that those who meditate day and night on God’s Word will prosper. Take breaks from social media if necessary, and focus on God’s promises daily. Spending time in His presence will bring clarity, strength, and peace.

Understand the War in the Spirit

Many Christians fail to realize that the spiritual world is real. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Sometimes it is not the people themselves who challenge us, but the spiritual forces influencing them. Opposition is especially strong against the children of light, so we must remain vigilant in the last days.

Spiritually Armor Up

Ephesians 6:11-17 teaches us to:

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on the helmet of salvation and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."

There are countless distractions and attacks that can discourage or derail us if we are not spiritually armored. John 10:10 reminds us:

"The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."

Just like Peter walked on water but began to sink when he focused on the waves and wind, we too can falter spiritually when we take our eyes off Jesus. Armor up, stay in God’s Word, and take joy in knowing Jesus is coming back. His Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth, equipping you to withstand the enemy’s schemes.