Pure Heart

How often do we check the state of our hearts? Speaking from an emotional perspective, many times we fail to realize how important having a pure heart and right motives are. It trickles down through every aspect of our lives. Has someone ever done something for you, such as give you a gift and you felt it wasn't done out of love? Or have you done something for someone out of obligation or because you felt like you were "returning the favor?" I've been on both sides of this and when we find ourselves doing anything that isn't with a pure heart that needs to be examined. There is a Biblical passage that reminds us "man judges the outside appearance but God judges the heart ." It's easy to focus on the outside while losing sight of what our heart honestly feels. This applies to many areas of our lives where we can fall into the trap of living life with a bitter and hateful heart. God sees every intention and knows our motives. Often He reveals the contents of our heart to us to spotlight where we need to make changes. It's not always easy taking responsibility. Many times we think that we're loving and kind but deeply rooted within lies bitterness and anger. All sorts of emotions that we've buried and not dealt with. Anything unchecked is given permission to take over. Let me encourage you as I remind myself to daily check your heart. Forgive often and quickly. We are unstuck, and we are free!