Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 ESV)

By: Scott Schuler

Perhaps taking the first step in changing our heart is easier than it seems. When I first dug into the hardened soil at the ranch, the task seemed impossible, but time and effort proved the job was possible. If God prompts you to do something, he will enable you to do it. He desires to free the human heart from the bondage of sin, so he makes a way.

Plow up the hard ground of your heart.

The first step in breaking up the hardness of your heart is opening your heart to Jesus. Talk to him about past or present situations that have caused pain, sorrow, defeat, failure, and other debilitating feelings. Healing in the heart comes from first exposing the pain to Jesus.

Opening our heart to Jesus can elicit deep emotions and what-ifs, especially if we’ve endured intense pain or failure.

Fear.

What if someone hurts me again?

Remorse.

What if God is ashamed of me?

Apprehension.

What will happen to me if I give up control?

Self-Condemnation.

What if this is all my fault?

Two elements fuel these emotions: condemnation or conviction. The Enemy condemns. God convicts.

Who are you listening to when it comes to guarding your heart – the Enemy? Or Jesus?

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