Softening Heart

 

As we continue our Lenten Series of giving our hearts to Jesus, we come upon the topic of a Softened Heart.  Over the years, I have felt as if my heart has hardened.  My ability to release bitterness, forgive, or even have empathy seemed to deteriorate.  I could blame my hardened heart on a variety of external factors. 

There have been people close to me who have hurt me or have wronged me.  Seeping into my heart was a sense of betrayal.  Why would they treat me like this?  If they cared about me, if they loved me, how could they share such hurtful words?  In my attempt to stop this from happening, I found myself putting up barriers or ‘hardening my heart’ so that the hurt could not enter.  If I kept these folks at arm’s length, then I would not feel the hurt.

There have also been times when my pride took over.  What could have been mine, or should have been mine, did not materialize.  Those occasions have typically been associated with work.  I have worked hard; I deserved to be recognized.  I knocked it out of the ballpark; I deserved a raise.  Have you had thoughts such as those race through your mind?  In contrast, if I hardened my heart, I found my pride taking over and a level of humbleness would disappear.

As my heart grew like stone, my resentment increased.  Although external factors may have caused me to feel this way, I had control over my heart at the barriers I was putting up.  These barriers were not just put up to those around me, they were also increasing a chasm between God and me.  I felt distanced from God.  And I should have felt that way.  God does not want us to have a heart of stone.  He does not give us that heart, He gives us a new heart, with a new spirit.  My friends, that is the heart from God.

How can we change our heart of stone to one of flesh?  Prayer.  By going to God and asking for His help, we are able to release the resentment, the stone, the pain and fill it with forgiveness and love.  God is in our hearts, waiting for us to come to Him.  All we need to do is hold Him close to us and know that He is there.  When I finally let go of the resentment I had for a person or a situation, I found peace!  Only God can give us peace that will fill our hearts. 

It is time, friends, especially during this Lenten season.  Open your heart.  Let go of bitterness.  Let a new spirit enter and let God turn your heart of stone to one of flesh.  Peace will cover you like a blanket.  All you need is simple faith!

Video complementing this post:  Softening Heart

Heavenly Father, we know we can go to heart for a new heart and a new spirit.  Help us to put our hardened hearts aside and fill us with forgiveness, releasing bitterness for peace.  In your name we pray, Amen!