Years ago, when Mark and I were newly married, he joined a group of guys that ran together each morning. At one point, his friend, Bob, suggested that they do a short Bible study together after their run, so he took on that responsibility. It was a good time of accountability, both physically and spiritually.
Over the years, we lost track of Bob and Karen, as they worked for Disney Corporation for a season, taught college in various cities, and served in several different ministries in Canada, Europe, and within the United States.
At one point though, we reconnected as Mark and I were on a business trip to Hawaii where they lived and worked at the time. Since then, we have continued to remain friends and stay in touch.
A few days ago, Bob called to check on me. We talked a little about Mark, the way he lived his life, especially the last few years, and how much he is missed. Bob then paused and asked this question as only he can in his deep bass voice, “So, Dianne, how is your heart? Karen and I were just talking and wondering how your heart is doing.”
No one had asked me that question since Mark passed away. I took a second to ponder that question, “How is your heart?” I responded with, “My heart hurts. I miss Mark a great deal. Yet, although it hurts, my heart is rejoicing in that he is healed.”
We spoke for a few minutes about our hearts and what often lies within them that no one sees or knows. Bob encouraged me to allow my heart to hurt and to continue to trust God to bring about healing for my hurting, broken heart.
I got off the phone grateful for friends who cared enough to ask me how my heart was doing and thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who placed that concern on Bob and Karen’s minds.
Often we walk around with hearts that are hurting deeply. No one sees them; no one knows our pain. Yet, as born again believers, we have a Father who sees deep into the recesses of our hearts, He knows our pain, and He promises to be with us in the midst of it.
The Father says to us in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled.” ESV
From Paul, we read these encouraging words in Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ESV
So, friend, sister in Christ, how is your heart? Is it hurting due to a loss? Is it cold or hardened due to an on-going sin in your life? Is it fearful? Is it doubting God’s faithfulness? How is your heart?
I can tell you that if you will trust God with your hurting, doubting, fearful heart, He will bring about healing, faith, and peace. He will show you just how much He loves you. He has done this for me and I am grateful!
~Dianne
“God is the shaper of your heart. God does not display his work in abstract terms. He prefers the concrete, and this means that at the end of your life one of three things will happen to your heart: it will grow hard, it will be broken, or it will be tender. Nobody escapes.”
– Ravi Zacharias
*Professional image courtesy of Emily Megan Photo
