At the core of our being, and vital for life is the heart. We cannot survive without it fulfilling its
primary function of carrying oxygen-rich blood and nutrients throughout the body. It is essential to
physical health, vitality, and strength. It is the source from which our life is given.
The Heart of the Matter
Throughout Scripture there are numerous references to the heart, some 100+ to be exact, each
reminding us of how important the health of our innermost being truly is to sustaining us. God’s Word
prompts our attention to living heart-healthy; and to evaluate our habits, our mindset, our behavior,
and intent. The entirety of our being was created to operate at its best when connected to a life-giving
resource that provides it with health and wholeness. Having Christ in our hearts is at the very core of
wholeness of life. He is that resource! (Acts 17:28: “For in Him we live and move and have our
being.”)
While our physical health is certainly important, it is more profoundly significant that we be in
excellent spiritual health. Wellness of the spirit (heart) encompasses aspects of our humanity such as
our mind and emotions. How we think and feel about things is controlled by being healthy in spirit. We
are reminded that we should have the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus.” Our attitude and actions follow what is predicated in the mind. They
are a direct reflection of our spiritual health. Romans 12:2 admonishes us, “be not conformed to this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
So, take a moment and assess. What does your heart health prove? Are you in peak condition or are
you spiritually lacking in strength and purpose? Is your focus clouded by life circumstances that seem to
overwhelm you or are you able to remain positive and confident in God’s divine plan for your life? Are
you energized by the “work-out” of daily prayer and devotion, spending time in God’s Word and
meditation or are you weary and bogged down, feeling lacking, heavy, and uninspired? The time to take
action is now! We need to get to the heart of the matter at hand.
The challenge is this:
(1) Have you established your need for God as your life-sustaining resource? 1 John 4:10 and John
3:16 remind us of God’s love for us and His desire to be in relationship with us. He is there,
waiting to share in your life and to be your resource. Acts 14:27 says, “So that they should seek
the Lord, and reach for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each of us.” Simply invite
Him into your heart and life! He will reestablish you and your heart will be renewed. “Therefore
if any man be in Christ he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are
made new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) You have a new heart! Ezekiel 36:26a says it best, “A new heart
also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.” A heart-healthy life has just begun!
(2) Strength training and conditioning are vital to staying in shape spiritually too! The elements of
prayer and the study of scripture are the nutrients that keep us strong. Infused with His Holy
Spirit, they allow for us to develop a closeness and intimacy with God. It is how our heart
connects to His! 1 John 5:14 tells us that we can be confident that He wants what is best for us,
and in Hebrews 4:14-16 we are assured that we can approach Him boldly, knowing that He will
answer our prayers with grace and mercy. Then in Joshua 1:8, we are challenged to study God’s
Word, meditate upon it and apply its principles to our lives in order to have success. Your heart
will gain strength every day that this discipline is put into practice.
(3) Surround yourself with those who are of like-minded faith. We all need encouragement from
time-to-time and the support of others who are also working to condition their hearts and
become spiritually strong! Heart-healthy companions will help us stay the course. See Hebrews10:24, Colossians 3:16, and know that “the fellowship of your faith may become effective through
the knowledge of every good work which is in you for Christ’s sake.” (Philemon 1:6)
Did you know that heart disease affects about 9 million American adults, killing one person every 37
seconds? It is the number-one cause of death in U.S. women, and in fact, statistics show that a 40-year-old woman is 8 times more likely to die of heart-attack than to breast cancer. The argument for physical
heart-health is certainly convincing and the statistics are startling. But, even greater is the necessity for
spiritual heart-health.
Everyone, all of us, without exception will be eternally separated from the God who created us if we
do not establish a relationship with Him. We will suffer the consequences of a life diseased with sin and
plagued by its despair and hopelessness. While across our world many are dying without the promise of a
future (Jeremiah 29:11) or hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), let us take action to be heart-healthy! Let us
advocate for the cause of Christ and let our lives be a testimony of what a heart-healthy life looks like!
May Christ in us be glorified! Change my heart oh God, Amen!
Read also: Creating an Environment and Heart of Worship
