“Your brain is critical in your heart-healing because, according to the Hebrew Scripture, it is the gatekeeper of your heart, determining what will come in and out.”- Christa Black Gifford
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”- Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
Christa Black Gifford continues Chapter 8 of Heart Made Whole as she observes that some people see heart-brain interaction as an either-or choice. Thus, when someone asks them to turn on all of their heart to experience God, they get very nervous. Because they think you’re asking them to turn off their brain. And that, Ms. Gifford suggests, is quite silly. For the brain most affects the condition of the heart.
As a result, Christa finds it surprising when using the eyes of the heart to encounter God unnerves people. Especially since Scripture is replete with examples of this. For example, Christa notes, one glance through the Psalms proves Hebrew culture imagined God in all sorts of ways to engage with their Creator.
Furthermore, one significant thing happens every time Christa sees the truth of the Father’s goodness in her heart. She finds it easier and easier to actually experience God’s grace.
However, Ms. Gifford finds that concentrating on her problems always leaves her feeling ashamed. And focusing on all the negatives only seems to multiply them.
Most noteworthy, spending time together with Jesus creates an overflow. Christa’s thoughts, emotions, speech and actions change to reflect the presence of Jesus Christ. The author explains:
“The more I communed with the solution first — the presence of the living God — the more His goodness, kindness, and love began to fill up the rooms in my heart and kick out old, unwanted tenants of fear, shame, bitterness, and anger. It was like I was being stretched and pulled outward and upward, creating more and more capacity inside for abundant life to keep bursting out.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures most influence your brain, the gatekeeper of your heart? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Building your heart capacity with Jesus”
