The next several blogs will be titled “Heart Attack”
“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
If you want to avoid a spiritual heart attack, you must
watch over your heart. How do we watch
over our hearts? First of all it is not
a one time action, it is ongoing. We are
to be watching over our heart. Then, we
are to do it diligently. That means with
effort, constancy, intentionality, and with purpose. We watch over our hearts by regular checkups,
watching what we put into our hearts, uprooting bitterness, anger, or
depression, and exercising our hearts.
Let’s talk about getting regular checkups. 2 Corinthians
13:5 tells us to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine
yourselves!” Heart health begins with
honest introspection and conversation between you and God. Have you put your
faith in Jesus, not just knowing about Him, but really asking Him to be in
control of your life, to come in and do a thorough cleaning of your heart and
to make you a new creature? (2 Corinthians 5:17) If you have done that, are you keeping a
watch to make sure your heart remains pure before God? Do your actions and speech display a heart of
forgiveness, mercy, and grace? Are your
desires in line with God’s word? Are you
daily seeking God’s way and His presence – spending time in His word and in
prayer? Is your heart grateful? Content? Full of praise and adoration?
If you answer no to any of these questions, then it is time
for a change of heart or else you will have a spiritual heart attack! You will have a sick heart which will make
your body and mind sick as well. The
cure for a weak or sick heart is renewing the heart by repentance and replacing
old thoughts with new ones! Repentance
is turning away from the old lies, sin, and attitudes and moving towards
forgiveness, renewal, wholeness, and joy.
By replacing old thoughts with new ones, you will be transformed!
(Romans 12:2 and Philippians 4:8)
It is never too late to start healthy habits that will
strengthen your heart. But only God can
give your heart new life and health.
There is no sin too deep that Jesus’ death cannot cover it. There is no emotion too great or action too
bad that God cannot forgive. Examine
your heart. Ask God to reveal to you if
there is pride or anger or bitterness there and then repent and renew by
letting God’s love in. He will heal you
from the inside out!
Hint of the Day:
If you are going through a hard time, remember God’s faithfulness in
times past. He often tells His people in
the Old Testament to “Remember” -
Remember His faithfulness in taking them out of Egypt, in establishing
them in a new land, in defeating their enemies, in providing for their
needs. It does our hearts good to
“Remember.” Try writing down the times
that you have seen God’s hand throughout your life. Then praise Him for those times and commit
your today to Him in trust and faith.
End in praise. Remember that He
is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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