Heart Work is Hard Work

Maybe you, like me, need this message today…

I have been so burdened lately by all the ugliness I see in the world around me, but I know the reality is that sometimes the ugliness I see can reside in me.

It’s the condition of our humanity, mere symptoms of our sin disease.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, ESV)

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12, ESV)

I’ve cried. I prayed. I’ve read God’s Word. I’ve actually done these three things more lately because I’ve seen just how ugly sin can be, and just how necessary it is to address it and confess it so we don’t wrongly express it.

I’m calling it heart work because that’s what it’s been for me. Looking inside my own heart for the things that break the Father’s heart so I can get rid of them and get right with Him.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

My encouragement to you…

Do the heart work, even when, and especially when, it’s hard work. The work of surrender may be hard, but a heart of surrender is not.

Heart work is hard work, but it is so worth it to see God at work! And truth is, He always is! He just wants us to open our eyes, loosen our grip, and soften our heart so we can actually see, receive, and experience Him completely.

Yes, heart work is hard work. It requires introspection, confession, and intercession. We have to look in, admit our sin, and then give it all to Him, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The hardest part of working on our own heart is that we have to be willing to do it. No one else can do your heart work for you. And you can’t do someone else’s heart work for them. Personal responsibility is the key that truly unlocks the hardest parts of our heart so we can fully give them to God.

And when we do, He always comes through. He will soften any harden heart surrendered to Him. He will forgive any and all our sins. And He will do over and over again.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV)

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,” (Ezekiel 11:19, ESV)