There are days when I need to watch the condition of my heart. Some situations and people are beyond ridiculous, and I can feel my heart getting weighed down and cluttered by things. This is when I hear God’s gentle nudge to “above all else, guard my heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov 4:20-23). Everything we are and do flows from the state of our hearts.
We can have ability and talent, but if our heart is not in a good place, we can do and say things with wrong attitudes and motives. Or we can miss God-given opportunities because we are not aware and open to receiving from God. Our hearts can become weary and cluttered by cares and grievances which can cause us to fail to discern what God is doing and how he wants to lead and bless us.
When our hearts are soft and not weighed down by the cares of the world and what we have been walking through, it’s easier for us to relate to others well and to recognise and understand when God speaks. He wants us to know Him, be blessed in what we do and make an impact in the world, but the condition of our hearts determines how much we can receive from Him.
Everything springs and overflows from the condition of our hearts. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks“ (Matthew 12:24.
If we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will reflect what we have on the inside of us and vice versa.
David in the bible was called a man after God’s own heart. He was the youngest of all his brothers, yet God chose him as King. His heart was soft towards God and others, and even though everyone else looked at the outward appearance, God looked foremost at his heart. David wasn’t perfect; later in life, he committed adultery and was responsible for a man being killed, yet because he had a repentant and teachable heart and attitude, he was able to move past his mistakes and learn how to be a better man and King.
How's your heart today? Is it soft, uncluttered and open or hard, cynical and judgmental?
Take some time to examine the condition of your heart and ask God to reveal to you any issues you would benefit from dealing with so that you have a soft heart towards God and others. Then you will be ready to receive all He has for you, enjoy your life far more and freely give to others.
“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 an everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23)
Prayer: Lord, reveal to me the condition of my heart and forgive me where I have allowed my heart to become hardened. Could you help me to receive from you today? In Jesus name Amen.
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