Heart Trouble

The heart of a problem is sometimes the problem of the heart.

Let me explain. Maybe you’re one of those people whose parents made them go to church as a child and hated it. I was not. So I’ve always wondered what that was all about.

My parents brought me to church before I can remember. They told me that when I was three years old I asked God to forgive my sin and for Jesus Christ to be my Lord and my Savior.

Since I was so young I had no memory of that event. But I do remember repeating that decision during a church service when I was older. I wanted to remember my commitment.

I also remember that I always loved church. Sunday was my favorite day of the week. The songs, hymns, Bible Stories and lessons connected with my young heart. I looked forward to Vacation Bible School every year. When I finally got to go to Church Camp and Youth Group, I was thrilled.

Here’s my guess. If you went to a spiritual life-giving church that taught the Bible, but you hated it and felt rejected, it may have been a heart problem.

Well, hold it just a minute. Aren’t some churches to blame—sort of “bad apples?”

Sure. Churches can be cold, legalistic and judgmental. That’s possible. But don’t give up on church just because you went to one that didn’t meet your need. The solution is to keep looking for one that does—a church where you can meet with God, people live their faith, the Bible is taught, and Jesus Christ is Lord. I didn’t give up on apples just because I had a bad one.

But if the problem wasn’t the church, it may be your heart.

Some folks who attend church have no interest in God. They are self-absorbed takers. Their only interest is whether or not it’s an enjoyable experience for them. Sadly their attitude keeps them from finding the fulfillment they’re looking for and which only God can give them.

It may be you are looking in the wrong place. I encourage you to start looking for your fulfillment where I found it: in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

When you do, you’ll discover that God is real and that he is not rejecting you at all. He doesn’t reject anyone who comes to him in faith. Because of our self-centered emphasis on pleasure, we reject him. God isn’t hiding from us. The reality is that we are hiding from him.

The greatest discovery of my life was that God loved me, was seeking a personal relationship with me and wanted to forgive all my failures and give me a fresh start.

Jesus said that God seeks worshippers who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He said, “whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” Jesus also told people, “Your sins are forgiven.” He alone can forgive our failures, even when we cannot forgive ourselves.

When we have problems with our physical heart, we go to a heart specialist. We listen to the diagnosis and then take appropriate action. We value the specialist’s advice.

If the problem is spiritual, go to the one who understands the human heart and soul. God alone has the treatment that works every time it’s tried. His advice is invaluable.

Maybe you’re skeptical. Then listen to Jesus’ challenge: “If anyone chooses to do God’s will he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” Then he added, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” He meant himself.

The heart of our problem is the problem of our hearts. The solution? Believe the right message about the right person: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior of the world died for your sin.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!