Searching Our Hearts

Friends, if I were to ask you what your heart posture is today how would you answer that question? Would you say that you have a needy heart?

First, let's look at the different meanings for heart posture:

• It can mean the way you hold your body, particularly your chest and shoulders which can be an indication of your heart health and overall well-being.

• It can mean the position and condition of your heart, which can reflect your attitude and willingness to be generous.

• The straight up, "lead with the heart posture" radiates trust, authority, and confidence.

Having a biblical heart posture:

• Refers to the inner state of the heart. (1 Peter 3:4)

• It is an attitude of the heart that expresses true worship and submission to God. (Psalm 95:6-7; Hebrews 13:15; Job 22:21)

• It is a posture of the heart that pleases God and is one that is humble, repentant, and obedient. (John 14:15; Luke 11:28)

Secondly, let me clarify the question of having a needy heart.

Having a needy heart reflects our recognition and awareness of our need for God. A needy person is someone who seeks attention, approval or validation from others and having a needy heart refers to a person who seeks approval or validation solely from God.

Hmmm, think about that for a moment....

We need to ask ourselves, who we are seeking approval from, is it from God or others? The answer to this question can change the trajectory of your life because this awareness can help you break free from seeking the wrong approval.

What we fail to realize is that God's acceptance is all that we need, this alone should give us a renewed confidence! 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Good news!

God accepts us just as we are, He knows all of our imperfections and every sin that we have committed and will commit in the future and yet, He still loves us deeply. So much so, that John 3:16-17 NIV says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Here's a few more reminders of the depth of God's love!

Romans 5:8 NIV

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

1 John 4:16-17 NIV "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him."

So how can we create and nurture a biblical heart posture? We approach God humbly like David did in Psalm 51. Friends, I cannot encourage you enough to read the entire passage.

To this day I cannot read Psalm 51:10-12 without singing it because we always sang this in church! "Created in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

In HCSB side notes for 51:16-17 says, "...the sacrifice of your selfish will and self-importance is the ultimate sacrifice God desires. He accepts and forgives those who are honest with Him, humble before Him, and dependent on His grace. Without a right spirit, no sacrifice you offer is pleasing to the Lord."

Psalm 51:17 HCSB

"The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart."

So offering every part of ourselves as a sacrifice to God cannot be something we do in pretense. This is a heart posture we should have in private as well as public.

Solomon reminds us to keep our hearts vigilant in Proverbs 4:23 NIV "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

When we search our hearts and embrace a heart posture of prayerful dependence upon God that means we acknowledge that we can do nothing in our own strength.

My prayer is that God will strengthen you as you learn to depend solely on Him.

Ephesians 3:14 NIV

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime