How is your heart posture today? Today as I right this, mine isn’t so great. One thing after another keeps happening. Two cancelled flights, bad body image thoughts, other negative thoughts, etc. I know these problems that keep coming up are small, but it has been exhausting trying to fight against my flesh in each situation to try and protect my heart to stay pure. I am far from perfect, but in today’s blog post I wanted to share tips on what I do to continue to follow Jesus when everything in me wants to act against the truth and follow my fleshly feelings.
Tip #1: Listen to Worship Music
Worship music truly helps our hearts get into the correct heart posture. As we listen to truth and worship Jesus, our hearts begin to soften because the lyrics will help us redirect our thoughts to His holiness and what and who we are living for. Our perspective will shift from our current struggles to remembering who He is and His glory. I love what Psalms 105 says about worship. “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” It is such a great reminder that as we lift up and sing to God our hearts will rejoice because we are seeking Him.
Tip #2: Write and Reflect What You Are Grateful For
Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Paul clearly states that when we pray to God and give thanks to Him that He will give us peace which will protect our hearts and minds. I love how practical and straightforward this is. Personally for me, I write out a variety of things. I usually think of the different areas in my life such as my relationship with Jesus, my relationships, my health, food and water, my job, what I’ve been able to do in my life, etc. By doing this, my heart begins to soften because I am remembering and focusing on what I already have instead of what I don’t have or the hardships in my life.
Tip #3: Read Scripture
Scripture provides us the opportunity to know Jesus more and gives us direction on how we should live our lives. Since Jesus is peace, comfort, strength, and truth we will get what we are in need of when we read the Bible because He reveals himself and His ways through His word. And when we are in times of needing our hearts to be purified, we really are just in need of Jesus.
Tip #4: Repent
After worshipping, remembering what I am grateful for, and reading scripture my heart is usually softened and desires to repent to God. I am so grateful that we serve a God that is loving and kind. A God that is kind to us so we go back to Him. Paul informs us of this in Romans chapter 2, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” It is so freeing that when you are a follower of Jesus that you don’t have to hide in your shame but that you get to turn and run to Jesus. As a believer there isn’t a worse feeling than knowing you’re in the wrong but your sinful nature is fighting you to repent to Jesus. I have learned, and am still learning, that the sooner I turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness the sooner my heart will be cleansed and aligned with Him which will give rest to my soul.
I humbly pour out my shortcomings for you to understand that you are not alone in yours. But thanks to Jesus and what He has already done on the cross we are cleansed and forgiven. I hope my tips can help you the next time you feel the weight of sin and are looking for practical ways to experience freedom that only comes from Christ.
-Shara