Heart Choices

I recently finished a book about the heart. The essence of the book discussed the things that contaminate our heart and steal our life. At first blush, I read through the four areas and thought I didn't have a real problem with them, but I was wrong. God showed me otherwise. It's one of those books that made me think more after I put it down than during the read.

The book not only outlined four areas that affect our heart, but also gave Biblical responses to defeating them. These weaknesses and their corresponding truths are: anger - forgiveness, greed - generosity, guilt - confession and jealousy - celebration. As I reflected on each of these, I realized I had elements of each in my heart. And the proper reaction can truly defeat them. I wrote them down and keep them on my desk to remind myself of how to keep those monsters at bay.

If any element of anger arises, I remind myself that I need to forgive the person that causes the anger. When I feel a bit too tight a grip to my worldly posssessions, then I must not only analyze how I'm spending my money, but give more generously today than I did yesterday. It will loosen my hold. When guilt creeps into my actions by filling up my time with things that I think I should do to please people, then I confess to my Lord that I need to get more centered on His will. And when I find myself wanting something I don't have that someone else possesses, I celebrate in what God has done for them and delight in all that He has given me.

Sometimes, it's not always easy putting those truths into action, but I have found that habits can correct the heart. I may not feel exactly pure in my motives in the beginning, but my intent will catch up with my actions and then my heart will change. I want God to have complete control of my heart (the place no one sees). In order for Him to have it, I must remove any barriers to Him. My favorite line from the book sums it all up..."What we need is a heart that can keep pace with our outward obedience."

2 Chronicles 12:14 "He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD."