Keeping A Soft Heart

It is easy to harden our hearts.  We start thinking it’s safer to be seasoned and tough–thick skin will protect us from being hurt or feeling pain in the future.  It makes sense, right?  If we toughen up, then the pain, rejection and injustices won’t sting as much next time.  It’s a struggle, a down right battle, not to grow cynical and rough around the edges in this world where bad things happen all around us and to us.  But is that the right thing to do?  Should we give up the fight–allow our hearts to become cold and calloused?

How do we keep a soft heart?

It’s dangerous to be vulnerable, scary.  Only the brave dare to look straight into the the ugly parts of life. It requires courage to not ignore our conscience when we’ve done wrong (and especially to admit when we’ve done wrong).  The fight for our hearts is ruthless and real.  There is a direct link to doing what is right in God’s eyes and keeping our hearts pliable, available, repentant, humble and honest.

There are times I make excuses for how I have behaved, for the wrong things I have done.  That’s how it all starts.  Next thing you know, it grows to the point that I barely notice “small sins” at all.  However, a sin is a sin, and I am accountable to Someone.  A cold, hard heart develops over time, choice by choice, day by day.  We let it happen.

Don’t hardened your hearts!

God’s Word pleads with us; God begs us to fight for it–fight for our hearts.  Fight to do what is good.  Fight to do what is honorable.  Hebrews chapter 3 gives it to us twice, as if He didn’t want us to miss it … “Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

Are you tired of the subtle creep of doubt and unbelief?  Do you have a clean and pure heart?  When was the last time you turned to God?  Do you even believe in Him at all?

Jesus is asking you to lean into Him and be honest about the state of your heart.  He is asking you to trust Him. He is so trustworthy.