Give the Heart the Power

Give the Heart ~ the POWER written April 4, 2017

God wants the very best for us His Word says it over and over. Yet sometimes, it’s hard to believe it. It can feel like the moment we survive one trial, another storm stronger and harder comes crashing in.

No matter what life throws our way, we must remember one thing: guard your heart.

Because the truth is… it’s dangerously easy to become the very things we once swore we’d never be. It’s easy to look the other way when someone is hurting, lonely, or lost. It’s easy to close ourselves off, to “mind our own business,” until compassion fades.

It gets easier with practice to stop trusting people altogether, to stop believing we’re loved, to forget that we are still worthy.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23

Every day brings new choices and different problems but the same heart. A heart that’s been bruised, wounded, disappointed, and tested time and time again.

And because of that, the wrong thing can look so appealing. The wrong path can feel good at least for a moment.

Fear makes people strike first.

Desperation makes people lie and cheat.

Insecurity makes people step on others to get ahead.

Impatience makes people grab for a quick fix.

Bitterness makes people steal joy or even tangible blessings from whoever is an easy target.

But here’s the truth: we all have a choice.

We choose what we allow.

We choose what we refuse.

We choose whether to be patient and trust God’s timing or push and shove to get our way, no matter who it hurts.

It’s hard to “let go and let God” when our human nature screams for control. If we’re not in charge, we feel powerless. If we stay silent, we’re seen as weak. If we fight for what we want, we’re called arrogant or greedy.

We’re not always going to get it right balance is messy. And sometimes, it’s okay to admit we don’t even know how we feel.

God’s timing rarely matches ours. Some seasons demand quick decisions, while others feel like a slow, exhausting crawl toward the thing we think we need.

This is why we must practice daily what we believe. Without practice, faith becomes theory instead of a way of life. And in a world where so many people follow the crowd without ever asking themselves why, it’s radical to stand firm in what you believe.

For me, I believe in kindness, generosity, and obedience to God. And I’ll be the first to admit I’m not perfect in any of them. I can be selfish. I can be impatient. I can be downright stubborn. But I can’t expect to grow in these areas if I never actually practice them.

I’ve been hurt. I’ve been lonely for much of my life. And while I hate the pain that came with it, I can see the wisdom it’s given me wisdom that helps me walk away from those who harm me, protect my spirit, and help others who are hurting.

I know the lonely cry of a soul. And I want to use my experiences to empower others, to remind them that strength is found in the Lord.

But here’s the catch: the moment we let our guard down, the enemy is ready to attack.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10

The world offers endless chances to get hurt or to hurt others. We build walls to protect ourselves, but those walls can turn into prisons if we’re not careful. Healing is slow. Sometimes it takes years. Sometimes we never heal fully and we are never the same.

But here’s the humbling truth: we will never be wise enough to know it all.

Even if we’ve “been through it before,” we cannot possibly know every angle, every why, every how. And maybe… that’s not our job.

Our job is to release it into God’s hands because His hands are the only place where it’s truly safe.

Prayer. Belief. Trust. These aren’t just “religious habits” they are lifelines.

And I’m not telling you this because it’s the popular opinion. I’m telling you because it’s the only thing I know for certain: Only through God will you find your way.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.” — Jeremiah 29:12

So I ask… who’s coming with me?

Who’s ready to walk in kindness, generosity, and obedience even imperfectly?

You don’t need fancy prayers. Just talk to Him. In your home, in your car, in the quiet before bed, or in the middle of chaos. Give Him your attention. Open your heart.

He is knocking.

Every day we are given the choice to let our struggles make us bitter or make us better.

The wind may shift, your plans may change, your heart may heal in unexpected ways. But you can always trust that when you give your heart to God, you are giving it the power it was always meant to have.