Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23)

In a world where everything is accepted, personal gain is a dominant driving force, and the goal is stuff, one of the best things you can do on a regular basis is #CheckYourHeart. Whew, that’s a mouth full, but it’s true and for our good. Have you watched or read the news lately? We deal with isms and schisms daily, along with our personal challenges. Take all that and then go to work, school, or even the grocery store, where we encounter other people who are dealing with their own stuff. Our responses are a reflection of what’s in our hearts, right?

#CheckYourHeart means precisely what it says. Our feelings/flesh can lead us down a dark path. We have to examine our hearts to make sure God is number one in our lives. If He is, our actions and reactions will fall in line with His word. If not, well, you know. 🙂

As I mentioned in the previous post, 2018 was one of the most fulfilling years of my life. Most people equate fulfillment with attaining something tangible like a promotion, a raise, a degree, accomplishing a childhood dream, or a championship. Those things are great, and I’ve achieved quite a few throughout my life. But nothing really compares to what I gained throughout last year.

We had the pleasure of seeing a couple we hadn’t seen in over two years. They noticed a difference in me, in which the husband summed it up as Good Old FREEDOM.

I have to agree with him. Examining my heart led me to that freedom. (#CheckYourHeart) I’m extremely grateful to our Lord, Jesus Christ, for freedom in Him!

Confession time! One of the most significant heart issues I had was loving God’s people. Before you gasp, hear me out. 🙂 I “loved”, but I allowed certain behaviors to hinder that love, and I was comfortable with it. I said things like, “I can’t stand people,” and other variations. I allowed the behavior of people to influence my feelings. I think one of the biggest tricks of the enemy is that he uses valid situations to keep us bound. What do I mean? I’ll tell ya.

Have you ever gone out of your way to help someone in need? Maybe you made a considerable sacrifice to make sure that person had what they needed. Then, POW! That very person intentionally does something hurtful to you. The operative word here is intentional. Maybe what you did for them wasn’t enough in their eyes. Or perhaps someone told lies about you or betrayed you. Those are valid situations of hurt that the enemy can use to keep you bound if you’re not careful. 

The enemy will use ANY opportunity to steal your joy and to change your focus. That’s why you have to #CheckYourHeart even more than you check your phone. HA!! (I’m included.)

Since I’m honest, I’ll tell you this too. I had a terrible habit of venting to other creations. LOL I know that doesn’t make sense yet. Let me explain. One of the reasons it took so long for my heart to heal is that I discussed my situations with people (creations) more than I did with the Lord (Creator). God is the one who made us. He knows us inside and outside. God knew us before we were formed in our mother’s wombs. He is our source and our lifeline. If we’re connecting more with people than we are with God, we will lose our focus. Just about everyone I knew gave me a valid reason to not trust them. I WAS SPENT!! I really don’t know what that means exactly; it’s just something I say about the empty feeling I experienced. 🙂 I was done!! Exhausted! I no longer wanted to interact with people and began to be comfortable in my loveless state of mind. But the word of God says, But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8) 

But I did love God, so I finally asked Him to help me have a heart for ALL people, not just the ones who didn’t get on my nerves. LOL Just keeping it real. It’s tough sometimes, but the ultimate goal is to be obedient.

I love this part!!

About eight months post-healing, while I was walking Scout, our dog, I began to ask the Lord what He wanted me to tell His people about what I learned during my experience. The answer was clear! Love even when it’s hard for you to love. 

Genuine love. Not that “bad thoughts and actions covered by smiling” stuff. That’s phony and is a product of our strength. We’re not going to be able to love like Christ through our own strength or with our friends and families. We have to rely solely on the Lord’s divine, infinite power.

I no longer say any variation of “I can’t stand people.” It’s not acceptable in my life anymore and doesn’t reflect Christ. I take my issues straight to my Source. Do I talk to people (creations) about what I’m going through? Yes, of course. The Bible makes it clear that we need each other. My connection with God (Creator) is my priority and is the only way to freedom.

I have so much more to say, but I’ll save it for the next post. 🙂 I’ll leave you with a couple of Bible verses.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6) 

I look forward to reading your comments. That’s my subtle way of asking you to please tell me about a recent #CheckYourHeart experience. We can help each other. 😉

I pray you’re walking in His love, strength, peace, and GOOD OLD FREEDOM. Don’t forget to #CheckYourHeart.

I’m not exempt. I’m just . . .

Blogging it out!!