May 27
Guarding
the Heart
“Here is what people who belong to this world do. They want to please their sinful selves. They long for what their eyes can see. And they take pride in what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. None of it comes from the Father.”
1 John 2:16 (NIrV)
Cole adjusted his tie as he walked into the office, greeted by the usual buzz of chatter and ringing phones. His heart was content, knowing he had a wonderful life waiting for him at home—his wife Isla and their two-year-old son, Ben, who always ran to him with a hug the moment he walked through the door.
But when Stella joined the team, things began to change. Stella was strikingly beautiful, her tan glowing under the office lights. She often wore fitted skirts and tops that drew attention and was always quick with a laugh or a compliment. Cole noticed how easily people gravitated toward her—including himself.
At first, it was harmless. He found himself chuckling a little too eagerly at her jokes or lingering longer in conversations with her. Then, his thoughts started to wander. He caught himself daydreaming about her smile or the way she tucked her hair behind her ear.
A twinge of guilt tugged at him each time. He loved Isla deeply, but he couldn't deny the pull of attraction.
One evening, after putting Ben to bed, Cole sat on the couch scrolling mindlessly through his phone. Isla sat nearby, humming softly as she fixed a button onto the jacket of their son. The sight of her, so gentle and kind, made Cole’s stomach twist. He felt a pang of guilt that he couldn’t shake.
“I’ve been letting my thoughts go places they shouldn’t,” he admitted silently to himself. But the struggle was real.
The next day at work, Stella walked by, her perfume lingering in the air. Cole found himself fighting the same battle, his heart pulling in two directions. During lunch, he slipped away to an empty conference room, closed the door, and bowed his head.
“God, I don’t want to be this man,” he prayed. “I’ve let my thoughts dishonor You and my wife. Please give me the strength to resist temptation and refocus my heart. Help me love Isla the way she deserves.”
That evening, Cole took Isla out for dinner, something they hadn’t done in a while. As they laughed and shared stories over a simple meal, Cole was reminded of the depth of their connection. Isla’s quiet strength and unwavering love for him were more beautiful than anything he’d seen in the office.
When he got home, he opened his Bible to 1 John 2:16. The verse spoke directly to his heart: “They long for what their eyes can see.” Cole realized he’d been placing his focus on fleeting, worldly attractions rather than the lasting love God had given him in Isla.
He made a decision to set boundaries at work—keeping conversations with Stella professional and redirecting his thoughts whenever they wandered. Each time he felt tempted, he whispered a prayer for strength. Over time, he found it easier to resist, his love for Isla and gratitude to God growing stronger.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the gifts of love and family that You have blessed me with.
Forgive me for the times when I have allowed my thoughts and desires to stray from what is good and pure.
Help me to honor You in my actions, my words, and even my thoughts.
Lord, I ask for strength to resist temptation and to refocus my heart on the blessings You’ve given me.
Thank You for Isla and the love we share. Help me to be a faithful and loving husband, reflecting Your grace in my marriage.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
