Makeover of the Heart ~ Week 3

The term 'a healed heart' brings several thoughts to my mind. 

I was born with a heart defect. 

My mom explained it to me when I was very young.  She said that I had been born with a hole in my heart the size of a fifty cent piece.  I didn't fully understand it at the time but I knew that I couldn't run around with other kids my age.  I'd become short of breath and my lips turned blue. I adapted by spending much of my time reading, coloring and drawing.  

By the time I was seven years old, my symptoms became worse.  It was now 1960 and the surgical techniques had improved.  They had no choice but to proceed with open heart surgery.  I wanted a healed heart so I could run and play and be like the other children.  I hated being different.

Yes, that's me!

I became a cardiovascular nurse specialist. 

I wanted to help others who had hearts that needed healing.  I worked in Intensive Care, Cardiac Rehab, Telemetry and with a cardiologist for many years.  Teaching people about their hearts and how to care for their bodies to prevent further problems. 

Healing of the heart requires trust.

Just as I needed to trust the cardiovascular surgeon to repair my physical heart, I need to trust God to heal my spiritual heart.  I must be honest and share that I've allowed layers of self-protection to form around my  heart.  Trust can be broken by people and often we resort to closing off our hearts in our attempt to control.  But these same barriers can prevent you and me from truly loving God and loving others. 

Listen to what Tracy wrote:

"Transforming our hearts includes putting our trust in the Lord. We easily trust ourselves, our friends, the media, and the “world.” We need to transfer this trust to God."


People may disappoint us but God is trustworthy. 

Photo Credit: Allposters.com

I've been going through a season of trials for several years now.  I've prayed and asked for the Lord to intervene.  I don't doubt that He sees and knows all that goes on in my  life.  After all, I am a child of His, chosen in Christ Jesus and loved by Him.  But I must admit there were times when I longed to know how He would intervene in my situation.  But 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds me that I ...walk by faith and not by sight.

Looking back on the past few years, I can see God's hand at work in my life.  He's been pruning me for His purposes.  I've had to let go of so many material things that I loved and enjoyed.  I've prayed that I would not harbor bitterness and anger in my heart.  The only way that is possible is to make a daily 'heart choice' to trust God in the midst of the storms in my life.

The more I learn to trust God, the quicker I will obey Him. 

I'm discovering that only He can truly heal my heart. 

God is beginning to reveal things to my heart.  If I hadn't gone through these seasons of pain and trials, I wouldn't be at this point in my spiritual walk.  I can't believe I'm actually writing this but I might even be thankful for these storms because I have learned such important lessons:

• God is my refuge. 
• He is the only solid Rock on which I can stand. 
• He is trustworthy. 
• He created me and loves me. 

I choose to trust Him with my heart.  Only He can truly heal my heart.

How about you?  Are you trusting God with your heart?  Have you ever covered your heart with layers of self-protection?

Blessings and love,