A couple of weeks ago, a friend shared that her husband had a heart attack. After a whirlwind of tests, doctors inserted a stent — and now? He feels like a million bucks. His family is relieved, and he\u2019s got a new pep in his step (and probably fewer burgers in his diet).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with that stent came the usual advice: less red meat, skip the saturated fats, and get moving. Honestly, that\u2019s good advice for all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it got me thinking — while a physical heart condition is serious, there\u2019s another kind of heart condition we don\u2019t talk about as often. It\u2019s the condition of the soul, the spiritual heart. You know, the one that can quietly clog up with grudges, fears, unforgiveness, and anxious thoughts if we\u2019re not careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We may pass the physical stress test, but if we\u2019re harboring bitterness or letting peace slip away unnoticed, then we\u2019ve got a different kind of blockage — and that one needs some Holy Spirit intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Solomon didn\u2019t mince words:
\u201cAbove all else, guard your heart, for it determines the course of your life.\u201d (Proverbs 4:23)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Above all else. Not just sometimes. That means guarding our hearts is a full-time job –and thankfully, we don\u2019t do it alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God offers us the ultimate stent — His peace.
\u201cAnd the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d (Philippians 4:7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peace is the prescription that clears out resentment, softens our sharp edges, and keeps our spiritual rhythm in sync. It\u2019s better than kale and treadmill time combined!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When life throws curveballs (and it will), and peace starts leaking out, we can pray what David did in Psalm 51:10:
\u201cCreate in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the reward?
\u201cBlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.\u201d
(Matthew 5:8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how\u2019s your heart today? If the answer is anything but \u201cpeaceful,\u201d maybe it\u2019s time for a Holy Spirit check-up. He\u2019s the best cardiologist there is — and He always makes house calls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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