Hope for the Heart

[bluidkiti]

Hope for the Heart Part 15 - Heart Care

by Gail Rodgers
Bob never expected he would have heart trouble. Now, suddenly he was riding in the back of an ambulance! The little choices of his daily routine had taken their toll.

Little choices in our daily routine have an effect on our spiritual heart too. Oh, it’s not the donuts or the lack of exercise that causes spiritual heart distress. We live in a culture that pulls our heart in a direction that can leave us feeling distant from God. God’s Word says,

“Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

The pull of our hearts away from God is subtle. It is usually an accumulation of little choices made in the course of daily routines.
One day we realize we feel unsatisfied, negative and void within our heart. We know deep down that true satisfaction in life comes from our walk with God yet we feel the pull of our heart away from Him. The simple answer is to pay attention to your heart.
Pay attention to what you think about. Your thoughts will play out in your behavior. That’s why God tells us to:

“take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Pay attention to your attitudes. Be conscious about keeping a thankful heart. It will change you in ways that will surprise you.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ( 1 Thessalonians. 5:18)

Pay attention to the things that draw your attention. Monitor what is becoming the desire of your heart. Does it draw you to God or away from Him?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ( Matthew 6:21)

Pay attention to your words. God tells us:

“...the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18)

What spills out of your mouth gives you a good indication of how well you are guarding your heart.
Pay attention to your daily habits. It is said that the secret to your future lies in your daily routines. God says:

“Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1Cor 10:31)

prayer & reflection

Father God,
Please help me to pay attention to what is going on in the deepest part of me. Thank You that You desire to help me in this. Please remind me to make the little choices every day that will move my heart towards You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and draw me closer to You. Thank You that You will walk through my daily routine with me to help me guard my heart.
In Jesus’ name, amen.