What sort of heart do you have? A soft, squishy heart or a hard, guarded one?
I want to have a heart like Mary's, who, when the angel gave her the message from heaven, responded by saying, 'Be it unto me according to your word." (Luke 1:38)
Because her heart was soft and open, she could receive the word from God and run with it, no matter what others said. She had what I call a marshmallow heart – all soft and squishy.
However, as most know, circumstances and other people's treatment of us can cause our hearts to be anything but soft and squishy. We get hurt, offended, feel like we need to protect ourselves from further hurt or are just plain exhausted by life, and our hearts can take a beating. Instead of being open and receptive, we are guarded and defensive, which will cause our hearts to become hardened if we don't attend to them.
God knows we can go through stuff, and he said he would heal our broken hearts and, if necessary, give us a new heart where perhaps we feel it has become like stone. He is the restorer and healer and is so kind and gracious with us. He also promises to act like a shield and protect us. (Psalm 147:3)
Today as the family celebrations, get together's, and Christmas gatherings are in full swing, take some time to examine the condition of your heart and ask God to reveal to you anything that has caused your heart to harden and that needs to be removed so that you can have a soft heart towards God and others.
Then you will be ready to receive all that God has for you and be able to run into your future unhindered.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the condition of my heart and forgive me where I have allowed my heart to become hardened. Please help me trust you to heal my heart so it can be soft and squishy again in Jesus name Amen.
Comments