We have been lied to. What we’ve been sold in love songs and love stories about following your heart has probably caused more heartache than happiness. If I had followed the emotions of my heart, my marriage would have ended long ago, and I would be writing about how to survive a divorce rather than celebrating the successes we now enjoy as a family. Here is the truth. You must lead your heart, not follow it. If you are not leading it, then something or someone else is. To give up power over your heart takes you out of the control position of your life. You are the master of your ship. You decide your destination and establish the course to get you there. People who follow their hearts are often tossed by emotional wind and wave and sometimes their ship sinks before it ever gets to shore. The fact is, following your heart leaves you vulnerable to pursuing what feels right at the moment rather than focusing on the sacrifice and self-control needed to establish stable and secure relationships. Many a marriage has ended when a spouse claims he or she did not mean to fall in love with someone else. This suggests that the decision to engage in a relationship outside of their marriage was simply out of their hands. This is not so. Learning to lead the heart rather than follow it can help correct course before temptation takes over and marriages and homes are broken. Regarding those seeking success in the business world, I recently read an article which identified the challenges associated with being married to an entrepreneur. “Neglect” was cited as one of the most common factors for divorce. The writer spoke of the wonderful memories she made spending time with her children while her husband was consumed with work related responsibilities. Special occasions were repeatedly missed for years while he vigilantly pursued opportunities for professional success. The wife felt her husband had a mistress. In this case, it was his business. Their marriage didn’t make it. Even marriages in faith-based homes can be vulnerable to strain and separation. Dave and Ann Wilson know first-hand how honoring the Lord isn’t enough if they neglect to honor each other. Ann was married to a chaplain for the Detroit Lions football team. He was also co-founder of a megachurch and an inspiring speaker on stages. Everybody seemed to love him. Unbeknownst to Dave, however, he had lost the love of his wife. On their tenth wedding anniversary, Dave planned a beautiful, romantic eve