A Soft Heart

“With discipline and practice, we can learn to lean into our Father, who is always more powerful than our heart’s desires.”

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthy nature: Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5, NIV)

While watching my 7-year-old daughter in her weekly horseback riding lessons, I am always amazed how God created a 1,200 pound animal that will submit to the will of the 40 pound person riding it. I have learned that a horse with a “soft mouth” means it takes minimal use of the reins for the horse to do exactly what the rider wants. Some people create such relationships with their horses, and they need no reins at all, just a slight shift in their seat and the horse senses where its rider wants it to go. It’s truly a connection that only God could have created. 

This is the same connection we should desire to have with God, a connection so close that we sense His will and calling for us at all times. In order to do so, we must have a soft heart. We must listen, be attentive, study His Word, and protect ourselves from heart-hardening sin, which draws us away from God.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Maybe a television show, a book series, or dare I say it, a social media account that is tempting you to make small sins? I know it may feel impossible to give these up, but in the grand scheme what a small and shallow sacrifice! Every time we make a provision for our wrongdoings, we are turning away and hardening our hearts from the Lord.  

We have the power over the temptations of sin. Proverbs 10:17 NLT tells us, “People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” There will always be temptations in life, but our God is faithful, and He will give us the strength and the way to escape these temptations. With discipline and practice, we can learn to lean into our Father, who is always more powerful than our heart’s desires. 

When we rid our heart of these worldly desires, we make room for God’s true will and the PURE JOY that comes with following our gracious Lord.

Action step:

• Do you have a constant temptation? Try investigating this temptation, not to shame yourself, but to understand what worldly lie you are believing that is causing you to stumble? Then take it to the Lord and pray on it. 

Prayer: God, show me what in my life is causing me to draw away from You. Reveal any lies I’m believing so that I can focus my life on connection with You. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.

Written by Cansas, mom of 3

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