“We speak from the heart. . . . Actually, we all wear our hearts on our lips. If I blaze into my day with resentful, anxious, impatient, angry words, I can be sure of one thing: I don’t just have a ‘word problem’; I have a heart problem.’ “- Jeff Manion
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”- Luke 6:45 (NIV)
On Day 12 (“A Dialogue with Your Soul”), Week 2 of Dream Big, Think Small, Jeff Manion talks about the discipline of journaling faithfully. For Pastor Manion, this practice develops the inner foundation of his life. Therefore, Jeff considers keeping a journal good for his heart.
Certainly, Jeff notes, engaging in any type of prayer may leave a person feeling either overwhelmed or underqualified. As a result, the author shares three practices he’s found exceedingly helpful in his daily journey. He covers the first practice today.
Practice 1: Filling. Each day Jeff plants himself in a chair in a quiet corner, opens his journal, and questions the condition of his heart. Many days he finds his heart at peace. However, when Jeff detects dark threads crisscrossing his spirit, he addresses the urgency to get his heart straight. Because he needs to avoid inflicting that mood on those who have the misfortune of meeting him in that state. Hence, honestly monitoring the condition of our hearts on a regular basis provides a huge step in inviting God into the day. Thus, Jeff suggests simply penning the words How’s my heart today? at the top of your journal page. Then, let your thoughts flow.
Finally, God eagerly desires to provide what you could never do with your own strength. God not only wants to fill you, but empower you with Himself. In addition, Jeff cautions:
“Keep one thing in mind, though. None of this is a quick fix to a powerful life. It’s all about small, faithful steps compounded over time. Even in prayer and journaling, it pays to think small.”
Today’s questions: Do you agree with Pastor Manion that we all wear our hearts on our lips? How does this affect what you say? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Expressing gratitude – think small”
