HEART

“Oh. Why did I say that”?

You know those times when you think you mean well, but your words come out wrong, and you embarrass yourself? Well, they might have come out wrong, but they often tell the truth about where your heart is at that very moment.  

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

It’s not fun realizing our hearts aren’t as healthy as we thought and that we’ve let our guard down to outside influences. We pray first thing in the morning and last thing at night, but somehow, those insecure, condemning thoughts can creep in and spew out in between.

Some of my worst moments were when I was trying to share “wisdom” with someone regarding a common personal experience. I naturally feel compelled to tell stories about my experience to share a perspective I’m confident they still need to consider. Didn’t Jesus tell parables to get his point across? Well, Jesus got his point across without sounding self-absorbed. Sometimes, we are simply meant to encourage!

At times, we may feel convicted by a sermon at church (we should all be so blessed), and the more we think about it and make excuses or try to deny the message’s validity in our own lives, our attitude becomes infected with finger-pointing, indignation, and maybe even a little anger.

Our heart feeds our thoughts, which turn into our words and actions. When we feel powerless to change a situation, and it seems like the only way we have a sense of control is with our words, without the Holy Spirit, we could very well hurt someone or “kill” them with sentences.

The Bible says we must pray unceasingly.  

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

When you recognize a thought isn’t from God, 

Resist and submit!

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Pray for God to help you think and act righteously. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Pray for protection from worldly influences.

Happy is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates day and night. He will be like a planted tree over streams of water, producing its fruit during its season. Its leaf never droops—but in all he does, he succeeds. Psalm 1:1-3

Sometimes, our hearts are so stagnated that we can’t focus on the Lord because of our fear and anxiety. It’s not a sin to be sick. God already knows our hearts and knows what and whom we need. Jesus has always been the greatest healer known to man, but sometimes, he provides doctors and medicines for a season that enables us to focus on Him again with renewed clarity and diligence. Our healing may not be as expected, but He provides for us in His will to glorify His name.

I’m praying that you be given the strength to ask for help if this is you.  Our hope is in the Lord. Praise Him. We need Him so much.

Reflection: Have I been hurt by someone’s words lately? Have I hurt someone with my words? What is in my heart? Have I sought Jesus’s healing so I can follow Him?