There is a difference between wilting and withering. In the plant world, wilting is remedied with water. Withered is irreparable. The concepts of wilting and withering carry forward into the world of the heart. Like plants, a wilting heart can be fixed. A withered heart isn’t exactly irreparable, but it is a serious matter. Proverbs says you must guard your heart diligently since it is the wellspring of life. That’s wise counsel.

Threats to our hearts abound, but no danger is riskier than that which threatens our dreams and quenches our heart’s desire. Although your heart’s dreams and desires might be ill-defined or lack articulation, deep in the recesses of your soul, your heart holds these tender treasures in trust.

Mismanagement of your heart’s dreams and desires is a bad plan. Initially, your heart wilts, but in time it will wither.

On one end of the mismanagement spectrum, the celebrity types famously flash their wilted-withered hearts on the front of numerous magazines (not to mention their music and movies). At the other end of the gamut are people who cram their heart, and all it contains, inside the bottle of their intellect and screw the lid of rationale on so tight no man can unscrew it.

Whether flaunting or repressing, fear drives the mismanagement of this deepest and dearest treasure called the heart. Initially, it wilts. But in time, the heart withers.

And what is fear? It is the belief that you can find yourself someplace where God is not.

Here is a story about fear, trust, and care for the heart.