Open My Heart Lord

Scripture Verse: Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) " Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you" Devotion: What is one thing we all have in common? We are all involved in various types of relationships.  Relationships are everywhere we look, something we observe and partake in daily.  There are parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, working relationships, family relationships, marital relationships, and connections with others that blossom into relationships.  In fact, the fabric of our lives is built upon the connection of relationships.   In today's world, the number of fractured and broken relationships are common, as is the number of scarred people. The trials and tribulations of life experiences can easily plant a callus layer of skin on people's hearts making it very difficult and challenging to step into a new relationship with a co-worker or even rebuilding one with a family member.  Much like a corn on your toe caused from the constant friction and pressure from the relationship between the shoe and toe, our relationships are naturally affected by the existing thickening/hardening of one's heart.  The hardening of the heart towards others develops for many reasons such as past disappointments, broken promises, issues of abandonment or rejection, issues of abuse/neglect, and the list of life's hardships goes on.   The essence of sharing this is in the hope to cause you to think about a few things. Who in your life do you need to release by forgiving them so that you, my dear sister, can be free of holding heavy chains that burden you down.  Who in your life needs to know that you too have made mistakes and you're seeking their forgiveness but maybe you have been afraid to ask for it or maybe it is pride that gets in the way?  Who in your life needs to experience the love of Christ through their relationship with you?  Or maybe it is you that needs to make amends with yourself in these ways?  Replacing anger, bitterness, and rage with compassion, empathy and love through forgiveness is required to see your relationships, beginning with yourself, go to a healthier level.  Regardless of where you are in this, ONE encounter with the Lord, is all it takes to transform you by penetrating the callus skin around your heart and softening it so that relationships are no longer painful, but are flexible making them enjoyable.   My dear sister, I need you to know that this shift in your life is very possible, not in your own power or your own help, "...but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26 KJV).  At the end of the day, relationships are intertwined into daily life and we have the option to choose how we write our current and future story, as to not be led captive by the past.  God has a future for you, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).  I encourage you today to not think that you have to know it all in order to fix it all, but rather, you just have to know that He knows it all, and He is offering you reconciliation, restoration and a renewing of self. Leave the figuring out to the Lord, just join Him in relationship and He will guide you on this journey. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for offering us a relationship with you that brings about transformation.  Lord, you know our hearts, some are broken, damaged, fractured, and even callused, but in the end, we thank you Lord because we know that one encounter with you can turn our whole life around in the right direction.  We thank you in advance for connecting women to each other, to help each other heal and grow in our sisterhood, and for you Lord, being the example of forgiveness.  Though the journey is not easy, we thank you Lord that you have already told us that we can cast all of our cares at your feet, oh, how good you are Lord!  In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Reflection:   Write out these questions and take them in prayer to God.  Call on someone that can help you pray about this.   What is keeping you from taking the next step towards a relationship with God? What relationship do you need to take to God right now?   Who do you want to forgive but do not know how to? Blessings, Sister T. West