Tuesday, March 4, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Peter 5

Luke 6:45
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Our words and actions are direct reflections of what is stored within our hearts. If our hearts are filled with love, peace, and trust in God, our words will bring life. But if our hearts are weighed down by pain, anger, and resentment, it will show in how we speak to and treat others.

For years, I carried wounds from lived experiences. My heart was filled with pain and distrust. I didn’t always recognize it, but those feelings seeped into my relationships. My words, often sharp and defensive, weren’t just protecting me—they were pushing people away. The people around me didn’t understand the depth of my hurt, and they certainly didn’t deserve the distrust I placed on them. My words and actions reflected the brokenness inside.

One of the most beautiful truths about God is he never leaves us in our brokenness. He sees every burden we carry. With infinite love, he invites us to surrender our hearts to him.

In his hands, our wounds become places of healing. His grace transforms us from the inside out—replacing bitterness with peace, anger with compassion, and fear with unwavering trust. What may seem like a mess in our eyes, he shapes into a masterpiece. We become woven into a plan far greater than we could ever imagine. When we open our hearts to him, he does what only he can do—restore, renew, and make us whole.

I would love to say that my heart is completely free from those wounds, but the truth is, I still have moments when a choice I make or the actions of others take me back to that dark place. That is when I ask God to remind me of the words in Luke 6:45. What is coming out of me at that moment? Is it fear, resentment, or pain? Or am I allowing the work God has done in me to shine through?

If you find yourself struggling, don’t just try to change the surface behavior. Instead, ask yourself: What is my heart holding onto? Let God do the deep work of healing, because when your heart is transformed, everything else will follow.

Questions:
Are there past hurts or wounds that may be influencing how you interact with others?

How can you invite God into the healing process so that your heart overflows with love rather than pain?

Next Steps:
Take a few moments each day to surrender your struggles to God in prayer. Find a quiet space, reflect on what’s weighing on your heart, and intentionally release it to him. Ask him to replace your fears with trust, your anger with compassion, and your burdens with his peace. You might also write down a specific area where you need his healing and revisit it regularly, allowing his grace to transform you over time.

Prayer:
Lord, I know that my words and actions reveal what’s in my heart. I don’t want to be ruled by past wounds or hidden pain. Help me to surrender my heart to you, so that what flows from me is filled with love, grace, and truth. When I feel myself slipping into old patterns, remind me of your truth. Heal the broken places and replace them with your perfect peace. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

This post was written by Monique Myers, a Perrysburg attendee, and regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.