Heart Choices: Makeover of the Heart ~ Week 3 -->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Dark or Light Style

Makeover of the Heart ~ Week 3


I'm joining Tracy Berta as she continues the Bible study "Makeover of the Heart".  You can join us At the Well where you can view a videotape and download a worksheet with questions to answer.

The focus for this week is:

A Healed Heart

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,
QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
16 Comments
Share This Post :

You Might Also Like

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful heart and healed so perfectly!

    Love you,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing your story Debbie.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Debbie, you pen so beautifully what I feel and wonder in my heart. Your story and faith is truly inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is precious Debbie and reflects your healed and beautiful heart in the LORD and your heart toward others. You're such a blessing!

    Powerful message!

    Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great picture of the work God wants to do in our spiritual hearts.

    I constantly struggle with trusting God with healing my heart because I know sometimes the process can be painful. But, I try to rest on the truth of His word: "For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust." - Psalm 33:4

    ReplyDelete
  6. You said it all here Debbie... everything we need and what we need to do... it's definitely becoming a recurring message, for me, for you and no doubt for all of us... keep trusting!!

    Love you!

    Sonja

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Debbie,
    You have a tender heart and it's a true blessing to sit by your feet while you are pouring your heart out to us.
    You know, every single sigh and word are heard by the Lord, and in his time he shall fulfill his work.
    Meanwhile I feel I have a lot to learn from walking with you through the valleys and I know we'll climb upwards and see the greatness in what God has in store for u.
    I found this in Psalm 34:19 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.
    20 Many are the ills of the righteous, but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
    21 He keepeth all his bones; not one of them is broken.
    From Felisol

    ReplyDelete
  8. Aw, beautiful post, Deb! Beautiful story of how something that could have been a tragedy, God turned around for His glory! Good stuff...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Debbie - We all need a healed heart, one way or another. Thank you for the encouragement.
    Marsha Y. - Spots and Wrinkles

    ReplyDelete
  10. I loved this Debbie! Thanks for sharing these personal things with us. I am glad that God has brought healing to your heart!

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't believe I missed this (I have had computer issues and all my normal feeders are not in my reach).

    I loved this and relate to it on so many levels.

    How amazing that you became a nurse in this particular field. See, I believe first in the natural, then in the spiritual. You have such caring qualities, compassion etc, that He no doubt, has placed in you, for His purposes and plans.

    I enjoyed reading a bit more about your life...thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Debbie, I know that you have been in the storm for some time now. It is hard sometimes to keep going when things around us are not we were hoping for. You are such an encouragement to me and others sharing from your heart.

    Love & peace,
    <>< Iris

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amen and Amen!

    May God continue to comfort you on this rocky journey and may you see many beautiful things along the way.

    Blessings,
    penny

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for stopping by my blog honey. I have had a very emotional week and needed what you said to get back on track. You are a very good Nurse! Even when you are not trying to be. :-)

    May God bless you and keep using you when and where you are needed! Love, Grandma Patty Ann
    http://pocketfullofpennies.com/blog
    I started another blog :-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. There also...some days I feel the healing, then other days I feel I have following back 10 steps to start repeating all over again...so even the healing is a walk of faith and not by sight
    Blessings and hugs

    ReplyDelete

I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

[name=DEBBIE PETRAS] [img=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CDrwq9-7eo/WV6tdbP-QgI/AAAAAAACfb0/ViqQSnSVaDsMLXyz3AEEzZ5-78luBHOGgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Debbie%2BFace%2Bblog.JPG] [description=]