I've been praying for quite some time that God would restore and bring restitution where things have been stolen or messed up in my life.
Part of that process is recognising the knots in your heart and mind that have wound you up and out of shape. It's not a great space to be in, but if we are honest, most of us have probably felt our hearts and minds have been in knots at some point.
The definition of a knot is a tangled mass or a fastening made by looping a piece of string or something similar on itself and tightening it.
Yet the encouraging thing about knots is that if we were able to make a knot, there is a good chance we will be able to, especially with some help, get that knot undone.
A while ago, one of our children received a gift for their birthday, which touched their hearts. They'd not felt very happy, but this gift helped them feel loved and important.
As a result, they told me that the knot in their heart had come undone. They explained that just like a knot in a piece of string, our hearts could get in knots with hurts, disappointments and upset. However, time with Jesus and opening your heart loosens all the tightness and feelings of being turned in on yourself so that the knots in your heart can come undone.
Sometimes the loosening up of that "knot" is quick, and other times it takes a little longer. In this case, it simply took an act of love, kindness and encouragement to open up a knotted-up heart so it could be set free.
Today if you know you have a "knot" in your heart or mind or feel like you are a tangled, uptight mess on the inside, I encourage you to spend some time with Jesus and ask him to help you loosen the knots.
Give your burdens and concerns to him, let go, receive his love for you and determine to loosen and undo the knots.
And if you know someone suffering from "knots" in their life, don't underestimate what an impact you can make by showing kindness, love and encouragement to help loosen those knots. We can change people's lives that way.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments." (Deut 7:9)
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)
Prayer: Lord, please undo the knots in my mind, heart and life. Remove the have nots, the can not's, and the do not's that I have in my mind. Erase from me the could not's, the would not's, and should not's that obstruct my life. And most of all, remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the "am not's" that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough. Thank you. In Jesus name Amen.