To love is to take the risk of being hurt. Without vulnerability, it is impossible to be genuine in our relationships. However, it is wise to follow some tips to avoid having your heart broken.

God is not an insensible father. His most ardent desire is that his children be healthy, happy and prosperous. In Deuteronomy 28, God enumerates all the areas where we can be blessed. Sometimes the blessing is synonymous with favor (v.10), at times with prosperity (v.8) and sometimes with protection (v.7). But all of these beautiful promises are a consequence of an action: if we obey the voice of the Lord. Our bodies and our hearts will be protected if we follow His ways.

God also says that He will never abandon us. So He’s going to be with us, no matter what we do. However, if we do not give Him the sovereignty of our heart, He will not be able to reign over or protect it. By His word, He guides us in safe paths, and when we stay in His ways, we are protected. We may get wounded here and there, but we will never be crushed (2 Corinthians 4: 8-10).

Here is an image to better explain the purpose. A young man arrived at the edge of a beautiful lagoon, withdrawn from civilization. The water was clear and the beach was white sand. He wanted to take a swim. He saw an old sign, broken by time, on which was written “Danger - Sharks.” The water was calm, no sign of dorsal fins. “The sign is super old; it doesn’t apply anymore. No, I do not think there is any danger.” The young man then threw himself into the water. You guessed it; a school of sharks quickly devoured him. Even if the Bible is old, even if you do not believe what you read, it is nothing less than the truth. God is with you, but if you do not follow his warnings, it will not be His fault if you suffer.

Let us plunge into His Word then. What does it say about protection?

• Deuteronomy 23.14 NIV “For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”
• Psalms 5.11 NIV “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
• Proverbs 4.5-6 NIV “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
• Hebrews 13.6 NIV “So we say with confidence “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

These verses clearly show that his protection, of body and heart, is with us if He is our Lord. That is if we give Him the right to reign over us if we follow His precepts, and we walk in holiness.

If you give your heart to God to reign over it, He will not let anyone break it. If you follow God’s recommendations regarding dating, you will not experience great sorrows. If it is God who leads your love story, you know that it can only go in the right direction. In God are blessings and protection for your heart. You will probably have small disappointments, friction or misunderstanding; in a couple, we are dealing with another imperfect human after all. But as long as you follow the direction of God in your love story, He will be there as a shield around your heart. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalms 28.7 NIV)