The term «heart hardening» may seem like a fairy tale, and many are unaware of its existence and the importance of self-checking. Shockingly, 99% of people have never taken the time to assess their own hearts and ensure that everything is working properly. In the physical aspect, most individuals are unaware of heart problems until a critical stage that requires hospitalization. Such medical conditions may be caused by self-neglect, genetics, external factors, or unknown factors. Regardless of the cause, it is evident that there is an issue at hand. So, what happens when the same thing occurs to the «non-physical heart,» which is concealed and can become as rigid as a rock?
When the non-physical heart becomes rigid, it can lead to emotional and mental distress. This can manifest in various ways such as difficulty in expressing emotions, lack of empathy towards others, unforgiveness and increased feelings of anger or frustration. Just like the physical heart, it is important to assess the non-physical heart and make sure it is taken care of. One way to do this is by practicing self-reflection and introspection to identify any negative patterns or behaviors that may be affecting the heart. Engaging in activities that promote emotional well-being such as intentional prayer, therapy, and spending time with loved ones can also help to soften and heal the heart. It is important to remember that just like the physical heart, the non-physical heart requires care and attention to function at its best.
Let’s dive deeper.
It amazes me that even this was mentioned in the Word of God. There are many verses in the bible that speaks on the hardening of the heart and other types of hearts that are fascinating to look into. I want to focus on Hebrews chapter 3 verse 7-12, but do take a moment to read the entire chapter.
7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,
“Today when you hear his voice,
8 don’t harden your hearts,
as Israel did when they rebelled,
when they tested me in the wilderness.
9 There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
10 So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them.’
11 So in my anger I took an oath:
‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”[e]
12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.[f] Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.
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Now, before we move forward, let’s take a moment to look into the definition of what is the heart according to the Bible.
Broad meaning: It is the center of your personality. Who you are. It is the way you think, behave, and feel. It is what makes you – you. It is also the place where evil is stored. (Luke 6:44-46) (Mark 7:21-23)
Knowing this now, when we try to figure out what does it mean to harden our heart, we are basically closing it out and turning it away from God and people. The consequence of hardening our heart is that it will hinder our way of understanding or perceiving reality and because of that we cannot be who we really are and are meant to be, especially in Jesus.
You might say, “Well, I have a good and valid reason for my heart to be like that,” and yes, we all do. None of us, not even believers of Jesus, are exempt from suffering and hardships, not even Jesus Himself. God understands, and it is ONE of the reasons why He fought so hard and is still fighting to be able to have a relationship with us since The Fall in the Garden of Eden. He knew that we would not be able to do it alone. He knew that His children would need Him. He knew how hopeless the world would be if we did not have Him to lean on amid the pain, confusion, anger, and loss. Even further, He was not obligated to do anything. He could have destroyed the entire world and never created it again. Instead, He placed Himself in pain, confusion, anger, worry, loss, humiliation – just to offer Himself as a solution to the same humanity that rejected Him even when they had everything. He knew that only HE could offer true healing and freedom.
So, as a loving Father, He advises us to not harden our hearts- Why? Just by reading the above verse in Hebrews you can see how the people of Israel behaved and the consequences because of their hardened hearts. Even when they saw with their own eyes all that God did for them, they would still do evil and turn away from God. As a result, they would not enter God’s place of rest or the promises and blessings, not because God ever wanted it that way, but it was their own decisions outside of God that kept them from receiving all that He intended for them. Their hardened hearts rejected God’s love and showed ungratefulness.
I have suffered a lot in life, including losing people I loved dearly to gun violence. I have tasted the good and the bad outside of God, when I did not serve Him, and I have also lived through the same with God as my everything. I have seen that it costs me more to have a hardened heart than not. Today, at almost 30 years old, I can honestly say, I rather experience joy and pain with God in the picture than without. The difference – my true free and hopeful self as God always intended it to be and an unhardened heart that allows me to hear His voice that leads me to peace in the middle of any chaos.
@His_design_Speaks
