This post is part of the Write 28 Days Blogging Challenge . Participants choose a category, in which to concentrate throughout the challenge and the host provides a daily writing prompt. I’ve chosen the Devotional/Study category. The prompt for today is HEART.

2 Timothy 1:7 The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control. (Easy-to-Read Version)

Heart work. That’s what my friend calls it when we allow the power of the Holy Spirit to change us. That doesn’t happen naturally. We like to hold on to things, even if what we’re holding is heavy. Past hurts are heavy, but they’re ours and sometimes we just don’t know how to put them down. In holding on to the pain we give up living in the freedom of Christ Jesus. You can’t have both.

It’s hard work letting go of fear, shame, unforgiveness and bitterness when that’s all we know; when they’ve become strongholds of the heart. A stronghold is a fortified place. A place deep inside where we keep what’s important to us. It’s where we guard those hurts that caused fear’s lies to fester, shame to cover our joy, and unforgiveness to grow a root of bitterness. Heart work. Can it be done? Not without help.

For about five years I was part of Healing Hearts Ministries International, a wonderful organization, whose leaders have a heart for hurting women, many of them having been hurt in the past but living in the freedom of Christ today. Praise God! No matter the source of your pain, the healing comes through Christ. With a comprehensive bible study, the ministry helps hurting women learn who He is, how He loves them and who He says they are. The most important thing study leaders do is PRAY. Each one spends time in prayer for the women the Lord brings while He accomplishes the heart work.

John 8:36 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (NASB)

Heart work. If you have recovered for deep hurts, then you know how it feels. God comforts us so that we can comfort others (2 Cor 1:3-5). He doesn’t waste anything. Allow the power of the Holy Spirit to do a work in you. Let go of past hurts and receive the new freedom waiting for you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to let go of this burden of past hurts. Some are because of my own choices and I accept that. Some were caused by others. I don’t know why I hold on to them? They are so heavy, Lord. I want to be free of it all, but I can’t do it alone. Please give me the courage to take a step toward You. Give me Your strength to do the hard work of moving forward in freedom. I trust you to do the heart work in me. Amen. 

 

Photo by the author.