The Heart of the Matter: Reducing the Burden on the Heart

February is American Heart Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness about heart disease and how to prevent it. The heart is the most important part of the body. The less the heart is burdened, the better. It is burdened by unhealthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Regular safe exercise strengthens the heart. Fruits and vegetables protect the heart. Rest and joy energize the heart. Emotions affect the heart. A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones (Proverbs 17:22, NKJV). A healthy heart matters for the body and the soul. Let’s look at the soul-heart relationship.

In Psalm 51, David’s heart was burdened from sin. There were known as well as hidden factors that weighed heavy on his heart: deceit, dishonesty, sexual exploitation, and murder. The result was a shattered relationship with God, and it was more than he could bear. For David was considered to be a man after God’s own heart.  Now, his spiritual heart was clogged up. He cried out to God. David asked God for forgiveness, to create in him a clean heart, and restore their relationship. 

Our lives are similar to David’s life predicaments. Whether there is a physical or spiritual burden on our heart, healing starts when we take the necessary steps to allow God to heal our hearts. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10, KJV).