Heart Clutter
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1)
The heart is so central to the body, so significant for our health, that failure to care for, maintain, and protect the heart results in 17 million Americans dying each year from heart-related diseases. But as central as our heart is to our physical well-being, it is of even greater importance to our spiritual well-being.
When the heart experiences shock and sadness, troubles and trauma, hurt and heartache, it can weigh us down, and if left untreated, can literally tear us apart. It is no wonder that in one of his last earthly conversations with His disciples, Jesus spoke to them about caring for the heart. He told them not to let their hearts be troubled. For the disciples, the challenge they were facing was the prospect of Jesus no longer being with them physically after his death. They struggled with what his departure meant for their lives, their future, and their protection. Jesus' instruction to them then, and us now, was don’t allow the external troubles and challenges you face manifest into an internal burden and struggle that effects your present and future decisions.
Leaving issues unattended in your heart can cause you to harbor bitterness. It can cause you to develop hatred for another person or situation. It can even cause you to lose trust and faith in your Heavenly Father, like we talked about in yesterday’s devotional.
It’s kind of like cleaning out your gutters. It’s not a fun job, but you can’t allow debris to build up or your gutters will no longer serve the purpose they were created for. The same goes for your heart. It’s not always enjoyable to do the hard, emotional work of cleaning it out. But if you don’t, a lot of junk will start to build up, and your emotional and spiritual health will suffer.
So let me ask you a question. When was the last time you cleaned out your heart? Is there an issue you need to address that you’ve been avoiding for a while now? If so, I pray that you would go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you. He wants you to be healthy and He will be more than happy to come alongside you and guide you to a healthier place emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
The heart is so central to the body, so significant for our health, that failure to care for, maintain, and protect the heart results in 17 million Americans dying each year from heart-related diseases. But as central as our heart is to our physical well-being, it is of even greater importance to our spiritual well-being.
When the heart experiences shock and sadness, troubles and trauma, hurt and heartache, it can weigh us down, and if left untreated, can literally tear us apart. It is no wonder that in one of his last earthly conversations with His disciples, Jesus spoke to them about caring for the heart. He told them not to let their hearts be troubled. For the disciples, the challenge they were facing was the prospect of Jesus no longer being with them physically after his death. They struggled with what his departure meant for their lives, their future, and their protection. Jesus' instruction to them then, and us now, was don’t allow the external troubles and challenges you face manifest into an internal burden and struggle that effects your present and future decisions.
Leaving issues unattended in your heart can cause you to harbor bitterness. It can cause you to develop hatred for another person or situation. It can even cause you to lose trust and faith in your Heavenly Father, like we talked about in yesterday’s devotional.
It’s kind of like cleaning out your gutters. It’s not a fun job, but you can’t allow debris to build up or your gutters will no longer serve the purpose they were created for. The same goes for your heart. It’s not always enjoyable to do the hard, emotional work of cleaning it out. But if you don’t, a lot of junk will start to build up, and your emotional and spiritual health will suffer.
So let me ask you a question. When was the last time you cleaned out your heart? Is there an issue you need to address that you’ve been avoiding for a while now? If so, I pray that you would go to your Heavenly Father and ask Him to help you. He wants you to be healthy and He will be more than happy to come alongside you and guide you to a healthier place emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments