Good morning! Today, Sunday 29th September 2024, is World Heart Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about heart health and encouraging people to take care of their hearts physically. But it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual health of our hearts.
As Christians, we know that the heart represents more than just a vital organ—it’s the core of our spiritual life, the wellspring of our emotions, decisions, and, ultimately, our relationship with God. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” On this day, while the world focuses on cholesterol levels and exercise routines, we can take time to think about how we are guarding and nurturing our spiritual hearts.
The Importance of a Healthy Heart – Spiritually and Physically
World Heart Day encourages us to check on our physical heart health, but let’s not forget the spiritual side. In the hustle and bustle of life, our spiritual health can take a back seat, just as we often neglect our physical health until a problem arises. However, Proverbs 4:23 teaches us that our spiritual heart is vital because everything flows from it—our thoughts, words, and actions.
Just as high cholesterol and lack of exercise can damage our physical hearts, unforgiveness, bitterness, and neglecting God’s Word can clog up our spiritual hearts. When we hold on to negative emotions or ignore time with God, we block the spiritual lifeblood that sustains us: God’s love, peace, and wisdom.
Jesus, Our Ultimate Cardiologist
The good news is, just as doctors can help us care for our physical hearts, Jesus is our ultimate spiritual cardiologist. He heals, restores, and renews our hearts when we come to Him. Psalm 147:3 reminds us, “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” If there’s anything weighing on your heart today—whether it’s fear, guilt, or hurt—bring it to Jesus.
Like a physician treating a heart condition, Jesus doesn’t just patch us up. He offers complete restoration, working from the inside out to heal our brokenness and give us a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Reflection Question with Action Step
What’s one area of your life where your spiritual heart needs healing today?
Action Step: Take some quiet time today to identify any spiritual “clog” in your heart—whether it’s unforgiveness, bitterness, or even fear. Write it down, pray over it, and invite Jesus to begin the healing process. Ask Him to renew your heart, giving you the freedom to live in His peace and love.
A Moment to Reflect with an Encouraging Action
On World Heart Day, while the focus is on maintaining a healthy heart physically, let’s also prioritise our spiritual hearts. Ask God to show you areas where you need His healing touch. The best way to keep your heart spiritually healthy is to stay connected to Jesus daily—through prayer, scripture, and worship. He’s the One who renews and strengthens our hearts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for caring for every part of our lives, including our hearts—physically and spiritually. We ask for Your healing touch on any area of our hearts that has been wounded or neglected. Help us to guard our hearts, as You’ve instructed, and lead us to live in Your peace, joy, and love. Teach us to let go of anything that’s weighing us down, and renew our hearts with Your Spirit. We trust You to bring the healing we need, and we give You all the praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
