What's Down In Your Well Comes Up In Your Bucket

Heart Prep

Lord, help me to evaluate my life as I read Your word today. Convict my heart of things I may be filling my mind with that are having a negative impact on my attitude or actions.

Proverbs 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”

Crysta couldn’t seem to shake her bad attitude lately. It seemed like EVERYTHING was making her angry or annoyed. She was normally fun to be around. She reflected to when she had snapped at her younger brothers earlier that morning, calling them names and slamming her bedroom door in their faces. They hadn’t even done anything wrong. They were just wanting to show her something.  Her mom’s words rung in her head, “What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.” Her mom repeated these words often to Crysta and her siblings when their attitudes and reactions were unkind. It was a way of reminding them that the things they chose to fill their minds with would show up in their actions and attitudes.

Mom also recited a verse that said, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Crysta began reflecting on some of the ways she had been choosing to fill her time lately. She had been watching more TV than she normally did, and many of the characters were ill-tempered and bad-mannered. In addition, instead of the worship songs Crysta normally enjoyed listening to, she had been listening to other radio stations instead. There were also some kids at school that Crysta had been spending more time with that she noticed being mean to other kids. A sweeping realization came over Crysta as she pondered her recent choices. “Mom is right. The things that I am filling my mind with are making me feel miserable.”  The things that were coming up in her bucket were replacing her normal cheerful and playful attitude. “Lord,” she prayed, “forgive me for not guarding my heart. Help me to make choices that will fill my heart with the joy and goodness that come from You”

Life Application

How about you? Are you noticing any attitudes or behaviors about yourself that you are not happy with?

Could there be anything that you are filling your mind with that is having an impact on what is coming up in your well?

If so, What changes can you make?