A Heart Healthy 2009

A Heart Healthy 2009: Part 1

A new year means new resolutions to be healthier. That is on the top of most "resolution lists" for any new year. What about a spiritually healthier 2009? In order to be spiritually fit, the heart needs a makeover. Physically, we know that the arteries carry blood from the heart to the whole body. As long as the heart is able to receive the blood and send it along, our physical life continues on. Physical blockage will stop the flow of blood that brings life to the whole body. There are usually warning signs that occur in the body--telling you something is wrong. Some of these signs are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain in the chest or arm, difficulty breathing when performing simple tasks. When those signs are experienced, a doctor will prescribe medicine, a diet & exercise regimen, stress reduction plan, or even heart surgery to correct the problem. Without intervention, the result could be a loss of life.

There is a spiritual principle here. Our heart, our inner man is renewed & made right with God the moment we trust Jesus to be our Savior & Lord. This is our spirit-man. However, the soul, the place of our mind, will, emotions needs to be renewed. Our spirit man can be affected by the soul, when their is a spiritual blockage. The streams of living water (like the blood) carry life to the rest of the body. When there is blockage spiritually, the life of Christ is stopped from flowing freely. Sometimes we have lived with the blockage for so long that we don't even recognize there is a problem. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Watch over your heart with all diligence; for from it flow the springs of life," (New American Standard version). To watch over means to "protect or stand guard". How well have you protected your heart? Do you stand guard to keep your mind, will and emotions protected from the signs of corruption? Leading up to verse 23 in Proverbs, we see the key to keeping our heart guarded. Verses 20-22 says, "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body." To keep the heart guarded, we need to keep God's Word within the heart. That is the gate keeper. If something enters the heart that doesn't line up with what God says, then it will produce corruption in my spiritual body. The Truth of God's Words bring life and health to the whole body!

So, how do you know if your heart is healthy or if it is sickly? Take a heart check from the characteristics I have listed of a healthy heart. A healthy heart is:

• Prepared to seek God (Exra 7:10)
• Fixed on God (Psalm 112:7)
• Joyful in God (I Samuel 2:1)
• Pure (Psalms 24:4)
• Tender (2 Kings 22:19)
• Single and sincere (Acts 2:46)
• Honest and good (Luke 8:15)
• Broken and contrite (Psalm 51:17)
• Obedient (Psalm 119:112)
• Filled with the law of God (Psalm 119:11)
• Awed by the Word of God (Psalm 119:161)
• Filled with the fear of God (Jeremiah 32:40)
• Meditative (Psalm 4:4)
• Prayerful (Psalm 27:8)
• Trusts in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5)
• Desires God (Psalm 84:2)
• Wise (Matthew 12:35)
• Steadfast (Psalm 108:1)

How did you do? Based on your responses, would you say you have a spiritually healthy heart? The desire of all who are committed to Jesus Christ is to have our hearts reflecting these qualities. With the beginning of the new year, take time to process any issues that are keeping your heart blocked. Invite Jesus, the great physician to do "heart surgery". He is trustworthy and faithful. He is the Divine Healer. Give Him access to your heart.

All heart patients need a new diet and exercise plan, along with some stress management techniques. A spiritual heart patient needs these as well. We will examine these changes in the coming posts.