The Cure for a Rusty Heart
Well, land sakes alive ‘an pass some o’ them corncakes over here, friend. Now you come on off this here front porch an’ wander with me to the backyard for a lil’ spell. Stand over there by this ol’ water pump that gits to groanin’ louder than an onery mule on a Monday mornin’. It reminds me how our hearts can git real rusty if we don’t keep ‘em primed with truth. Waitin’ on your heart to git to behavin’ itself can feel like watchin’ a busy lil’ squirrel tryin’ to organize a toolbox. One minute everything looks purty fine, an’ the next minute that lil’ heart o’ yours is scamperin’ off toward trouble like a hungry lil’ raccoon that just spotted an open picnic basket full o’ goodies. That there’s why Hebrews 3:12-13 warns us to make sure we don’t end up with a sinful, unbelievin’ heart that wanders away from the livin’ God, but instead to encourage one another daily.
Truth is, our hearts can git to driftin’ a whole lot faster than an ol’ goat that done found a hole in the fence. Temptation, disappointment, jealousy, anger, spiritual laziness, and plain ol’ loneliness can git to pullin’ us off course ‘a-fore we even realize we done took a wrong turn. That there’s why Paul tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus. When our minds stay on Him, our hearts stop actin’ like runaway wild ponies. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. In other words, friend, the protection of your heart starts with what you let run loose in your head. A mind anchored in truth keeps a heart from wanderin’ off like a lil’ ol’ calf that done slipped through the gate.
And let me be tellin’ you, isolation is ‘bout as helpful as askin’ a possum for directions. When we git to sittin’ alone with our worries, we start throwin’ ourselves pity parties that even the lil’ barn mice wouldn’t attend. A-‘fore long we git to feelin’ hopeless, unbelievin’, and convinced that God has done gone an’ forgot our address. That there’s why Scripture tells us to encourage one another daily. We need fellowship the way a lil’ ol’ rooster needs a sunrise so he can git to crowin’. Find a friend who’ll be wantin’ to pray with you, listen to you, and help carry your burdens. Then, turn ‘round and do the same thing for someone else ‘cause a shared load always weighs lighter.
Father, forgive me for the times I let my heart wander into unbelief. Help me fix my thoughts on Jesus and on everything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Lead me into fellowship with others who can strengthen me, and help me be an encourager in return. Protect my heart, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now look here, friend, as you step off this here porch, carry this good truth with you that a guarded heart ain’t no lonely heart. It’s a guided heart. It’s a heart anchored to Jesus instead o’ tossed ‘round like a lil’ ol’ rollin’ tumbleweed blowin’ through a Texas windstorm. An’ when you choose encouragement, fellowship, an’ truth, your heart is sho’-nuff’ gonna’ be stayin’ steady, strong, and right in the place where the Lord is wantin’ it to be.
With joy,
Gwen
