Monday, July 3, 2023

Proverbs 27:19
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

I heard a funny anecdote about an older man, Bob, who served as a greeter at his church. He’d been greeting at the door for many years, but it did not seem to bring him much joy. One Sunday, the pastor asked Bob if he was happy with his serving role. He replied that he was, so the pastor said, “Well, tell your face!”

I think this is true for many of us—our facial expressions do not reflect what’s going on inside. Many of us though, unlike Bob, do put on a happy face, especially at church. We seem to have acquired the notion that if you are a “good Christian,” you should have no problems and everything should be fine! In recovery circles, the word FINE is an acronym for Frustrated, Insecure, Neurotic, and Exhausted. Does this describe your life? If so, this is not the abundant life that Jesus calls us to live, and I think we can all agree that things won’t get any better by pretending we’re FINE! 

As Lauren Snyder said last weekend, it is the condition of our hearts that reflects our truest selves. This is the work we have to do. Our hearts need attention. Many of us are weary from overcommitting and trying to control outcomes. All of us have been hurt by holding on to unmet expectations. The tendency is to move from negative thoughts to negative feelings to negative actions. It is a slippery slope into depression and anxiety. The Apostle Paul offers us a way out:

2 Corinthians 10:5 
We destroy every proud (I do everything!) obstacle that keeps us from knowing (trusting) God. We capture our rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. (Parentheticals and emphasis mine.)

I need to learn that I am only responsible for myself and stay in my hula hoop. I cannot control the outcomes of other peoples’ decisions. I must do what I can to keep myself healthy—mentally and physically—because they are connected to the well-being of my soul. None of these benefit from inattention. I must exercise and eat well for my physical health. I must steep myself in God’s Word and spend time with fellow Christ followers to keep my heart spiritually healthy. I must remember to take my negative thoughts and feelings to the Word of God and learn to obey Christ. He is the one who tells me who I am. He is the one who teaches me how to live in his loving presence throughout my day, whatever comes. I can surrender my circumstances and their outcome to him, but only when I trust him to do what I cannot. This is the result of following the wisdom from Proverbs 4.

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

Bottom Line: Heart work pays off.

Questions:
How are you, really? Do you have a space where you can explore this question honestly? Can you find that space?

Next Steps:
Check out a 12-step group, like Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered, Bible-based program geared to help people find relief from their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. It is available at three of our locations. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am grateful for the peace you promise us when we trust Jesus. Help me to learn that when I am obedient to what you’ve asked me to do, I can trust you with the outcome. Help me to remember that you are gentle and humble in heart. If I take your yoke and learn from you, I will find rest for my soul. For your yoke is easy, and your burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30). Let me do what I can and trust you to do what only you can do. It’s in your beautiful name that I pray, amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Ecclesiastes 9:17
Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.