Hardened Heart

I’ve met people who were very stubborn and hard to deal with. I’ve also met some of the nicest people on the planet in my life. I’ve also studied the issues related to behavior and how it’s connected to a person’s heart. When I talk about the heart, I’m talking somewhat about the big blood pump in the middle of my chest, but I’m also speaking of the emotional center of my soul. I do believe that when I reference a “heart issue” that both the physical heart and emotional heart are engaged.

I was reminded of a neighbor that we had as a kid who had “hardening of the arteries” when she got older, it basically presented itself like dementia. It was sad seeing the sweet little lady deteriorate before our eyes over a few months. I believe that our emotional heart can also deteriorate before our eyes too. The “hard heart” issue is the centerpiece of the story of the Egyptians dealing with the Israelite people who were serving as their slaves.

Moses & Aaron were sent to Pharaoh to ask for the release of the Israelite people to go into the desert to worship. The Lord had given Moses & Aaron a heads up that Pharaoh’s heart would become hard. He was not going to make this easy. Check this out…

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. 15 Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes out to the river. Confront him on the bank of the Nile, and take in your hand the staff that was changed into a snake. 16 Then say to him, “The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened. 17 This is what the Lord says: by this you will know that I am the Lord: with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. 18 The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.”’

22 But the Egyptian magicians did the same things by their secret arts, and Pharaoh’s heart became hard; he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. 23 Instead, he turned and went into his palace, and did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile to get drinking water, because they could not drink the water of the river. (Exodus 7:14-18; 22-24 NIV)

A hardened heart is a recipe for destruction both physically and spiritually. I believe that a person with a hard heart physically will die prematurely. The heart muscles must stay supple and flexible.  I also believe that a hard heart can mean the death of a relationship. Our physicians and scientist know so much about the causes of heart problems today. A good physical diet and exercise works wonders on keeping the heart healthy. Our spiritual heart is similar in that choices that we make each day can determine the health of my heart. I must spend some time in the Word of God and seeking Him in prayer. He will prepare my heart for other exercises of love, mercy, and generosity – just to name a few. He wants my heart to stay healthy and for my heart to be like His heart. The Lord displayed His heart while He walked this earth and lived among us. He is full of compassion and love. His mercy and grace I know of first-hand. I believe that the heart of God is love and I believe He wants my heart to love. God is the Creator of my heart and I know that He knows what is best for my. I don’t want my heart to become hard or calloused – I want my heart to be tender and full of love and grace.

Pressing On!

Dwayne