The Joy of The Journey: Heart Trouble

The Joy of The Journey

Heart Trouble

To say we live in a troubled world is an understatement. I have often heard people say, “Just trust your heart.”  However, this is the opposite of what the Bible teaches us in Jeremiah 17:9. It reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” This verse is powerful in that it speaks to the nature of the human heart.  In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah shines a light on the condition of the human heart, highlighting its capacity for deceit and corruption. This verse invites us to reflect on the difficulty of our inner selves and the struggles we face in navigating our desires and motivations.

The heart is often understood in biblical terms as the seat of our emotions, intentions, and deepest desires. It is the core of our being, the source of our thoughts and actions. Jeremiah’s declaration that the heart is deceitful above all things suggests a profound truth about human nature—our hearts are not always reliable guides. Despite our best intentions, we are capable of self-deception and rationalization, leading us astray from what is true and good.

The idea that the heart is beyond cure speaks to the depth of our brokenness and the limitations of our efforts to mend ourselves. No amount of self-help or positive thinking can fully heal the wounds of our hearts or correct the disobedience of our desires. We need a remedy that goes beyond our own abilities, a transformation that can only come from a source outside of ourselves.

So, who can understand the human heart? We often struggle to fully comprehend our motivations and impulses, let alone those of others. Our hearts can be a battleground of conflicting desires, fears, and insecurities, making it challenging to navigate our way through life with clarity and purpose.

In this darkness and uncertainty, how do we find hope and guidance? The answer lies in recognizing our need for a savior, a divine source of wisdom and truth that can shine a light into the depths of our hearts. Only through humility and surrender can we begin to address our own deceitfulness and seek a path toward redemption and transformation.  In Romans 12:1-2 it says: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Acknowledging our ability to see the deceptiveness of our hearts is the first step toward healing and growth. When we confront the reality of our own deceitful hearts, we are compelled to turn toward a source of truth and goodness that goes beyond our limited understanding. This source is found only in Jesus, who offers us grace, forgiveness, and a new beginning.

When we surrender our hearts to God and open ourselves to transformation and renewal, real direction for our lives reveals itself.   Through prayer, reflection, and worship, we can align our desires with God’s will, allowing His love to purify and guide us. This journey is not easy or straightforward, but it promises a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit and greater peace and fulfillment.  Only for the power of Christ can the deceitful heart be set straight.