“When we aim at our symptoms, hacking away with our own strength . .. we might expect temporary change through self-restraint, but never permanent freedom.”- Christa Black Gifford
“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, GOD, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human . . . get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”- Jeremiah 17:9-10 (MSG)
Today Christa Black Gifford concludes Chapter 6 of Heart Made Whole with the third and fourth languages of the heart.
3. The Language of Feelings. Every time your emotions rise up, surrender them into the hands of Jesus. As a result, He’ll continue to restore those broken places and make your heart whole.
4. The Language of Actions. Unless you acknowledge the core pain behind your surface issues, you’ll never find freedom through simply controlling your behavior. Therefore, your focus must shift from the problem to the solution. In other words, hand your master key to Jesus.
And a wonderful thing happens as you commit to letting Jesus walk through every shameful room inside. As Jesus nourishes, purifies, and heals, the actions growing out of your woundedness begin to change naturally. Rather than act out, you remain stable as you face your heart pain. Let the Holy Spirit search your heart, know you, try you, and heal you from the inside out.
In conclusion, Christa offers this summary:
“No matter how dedicated you are, how hard you strive, or how strong you become, you will never possess the power to heal, cleanse, and purify the brokenness inside your heart because this has never been your job. Your role in life is to be a much-loved child, receiving all that Father offers through salvation, and letting Him complete His work in you through an exchange of supernatural power and relationship.”
Today’s question: What happens when you aim at your symptoms? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Love – medicine that heals the naked heart”
