A Heart Check

Yesterday I defined my conversation with a friend as “venting.” This is a word that is very familiar to us as women. When we release our frustrations to someone we trust, we call it venting. Sometimes venting is appropriate--when we want advice from a trusted friend, or need to verbally process a situation we are going through. But sometimes, what we label as  venting is not--it is actually self-rationalized complaining, gossiping, or bitterness. Was I just venting yesterday? Or was it something more harmful? Admittedly, as I prayed, the Holy Spirit tugged my heart, showing me that I had crossed the line into sin. I realize that we are all under added pressure due to our isolation and circumstances, but even then, God wants us to choose obedience. I am reminded of the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). 

Could it be that I had allowed my attitudes and behaviors to become side effects of the covid-19 pandemic? Gratefully, I have not been physically infected, but sadly there have been times I have displayed symptoms of spiritual infection. I have let the current circumstances of fear and uncertainty justify in me sinful behavior. 

When we receive Christ as our Lord, we are essentially given a heart transplant. God replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh: “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).  

Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and yet, we are not perfect. We continue to sin. But we have the power of God’s Spirit to transform us to Christ-likeness. I pray for the safety of everyone in this world, and grieve for anyone who has been physically infected with the virus or someone close to them. While I can do my best to avoid exposure, it may be out of my control as to whether I become physically infected. But one thing I can do is choose to not let it pierce my heart and attitude. My heart belongs wholly to the Lord. 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)