Christians, I am reminded of a situation with a vehicle. It was doing something out of the ordinary. It was acting up, but there was no plan or any idea about making it better. Temporary fixes were tried, but nothing major was attempted. The only problem was that it did not go away, in fact it got much worse. When the problem finally blew up, it ended up costing a lot more because the one weak part broke and it took many other parts along with it. Why am I saying all this?
I do not know if a diagnostic test could have prevented it from all going bad, but it could have shown that things were headed this way. I think that we as Christians need to be very careful and aware of the condition of our hearts. A little sin, a little unforgiveness, a little worry, jealousy, or strife can cause things to act out of the ordinary. People may say “you are different”. “Is something wrong?” You may feel off or odd, upset or even angry. If you have any of these signs in your life, you need to go to God, to His word, search out the source. It may be well hidden, but you MUST find it and then most importantly, you MUST deal with it, fix it.
It is not enough to know you have a problem, you must deal with it and get rid of all the bad parts (feelings) and implement new thoughts or ideas. God wants us to be running on all cylinders, with our levels full, and with all working parts. He is the ultimate “heart mechanic,” and His services are always free of charge, but it is usually at a cost. The price you might have to pay is humility, admitting you are wrong, asking for forgiveness. It may cost you a grudge that you cannot hold onto, or it may cost you a friendship. I can tell you that if you do not deal with the issues when you notice them, if you put them off, ignore them, or hope they just “go away,” they can cost you so much more in the long run. You will have to deal with them as well as other issues and it will be a bigger inconvenience affecting more people than just you. Do yourself a favor, go to God, get a free diagnostic test of your heart. Be willing and open to spend the time and effort to keep your heart running well. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Create in me a pure heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (NIV)
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you ; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2017
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