Toward God's Heart

Thursday, October 17, 2013 Posted by Unknown

How do I cultivate the “peace that surpasses all understanding” Paul talks about in Philippians 4:7? During the next couple of weekends, I’ll be trimming my rose brushes, lavender plants, and hydrangeas: pruning and cutting back. Likewise, the Holy Spirit lets me know when I need “cutting off" or turning away from something. Yet, repentance is more than turning away from; in turning away, one must also turn toward.

The other day, I felt a twinge of rejection. A good friend looked pass me and onto the next person as if I wasn’t even there. My thoughts began to breed vain imaginings. “Why did she treat me that way? What did I do to deserve that? Who does she think she is, Lord?” I found myself tense and negative in thought.

I had a choice: harbor self-pity, which could easily boil over to resentment, then anger; or, I could repent. I silently asked God what He saw. He showed me my heart. Thorns had sprouted and poked out--instead of soft petals created to release a sweet fragrance.

“She’s my daughter, just like you are.” He whispered. Ouch! I knew what I had to do. Hebrews 12:11 reminded me, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Through my harvest of repentance, I turned away from and back to, the peaceful, joyful heart of God.