Heart Work is Hard Work
I have spent months loathing the condition of my heart, because what resides there isn’t always pure. Isn’t that interesting? I am deeply challenged by the scripture Proverbs 4:23 for many reasons…
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23 NLT
The entirety of my life is lived through the lens of my heart. So what happens when my heart is cluttered, broken, shattered, or impure? What do I do when my heart is stone cold from bitterness and pain, or too tender from fresh cuts on old wounds? How about when unforgiveness and offense take precedence, and I don’t recognize the disgust festering within?
I recently came across a video I made after crossing into the new year, January 1, 2026. In the video, I said, “It’s our year of maturity, it’s my year of wholeness, and the year that God answers prayers.”
Heart Work is Hard Work.
I thought that wholeness meant that my healing was God’s job. Now, when I’m speaking about the condition of my heart, I’m not referencing the big things, but the small, subtle things. If you’ve been a Christian a while, you typically have handled a lot of the surface things – the sins that everyone can see. That’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m speaking on the condition of your heart…what’s within, what no one but God truly sees. In fact, many times we personally haven’t grasped or processed the depth of our heart's desires. It’s hard to see yourself, even when you are staring at your reflection in the mirror.
I now understand that the wholeness I spoke of at the beginning of the year had less to do with the material things around me becoming whole and better, but much more with the condition of my heart and soul becoming whole.
Wholeness means being one with God, because He is whole.
The heart work I’m desiring for God to do is hard work, because my participation is required.
God is looking for my yes and my yield. He wants to see a heart fully surrendered so He can declutter, repair, and cleanse.
Have you ever noticed God doesn’t touch a specific area of your life that you haven’t fully surrendered or permitted Him to invade? Or it’s almost as though, because you are “in control” of that specific area of your life, it’s the one place that God remains silent.
Take note of the areas of your life that you haven’t heard God’s voice recently.
As the realization of my flawed heart has become clearer to me, I have been tempted to withdraw, remain silent, or sulk. I’m insecure about a flaw that’s a work in progress. I’m embarrassed when my words give insight into a deeper work that’s taking place within.
Perhaps I’m speaking too proverbially, and so I want you to reflect:
How often do you desire something contrary to the Bible? When was the last time you acted on that desire?
How do you react when someone you are offended by walks in the room? Do you display God’s love or fleshly hatred?
Are you as devoted to God in private as you proclaim you are in public? How’s your devotional life?
It may seem like these are just questions, and it’s easy to bluff when you answer them quickly – but how about when you reflect and answer honestly? Your answers will reveal the condition of your heart.
The sad truth about life and circumstances is that sometimes the condition of our heart is a byproduct of life situations that were beyond our purview. But as you grow and mature in Christ, you have to shift your perspective and understand that your heart is your responsibility.
It’s important not to be comfortable living with a compromised heart because it’s the ruling verdict of our eternal life with Christ.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” – Matthew 15:8 NIV
God knows your heart.
The real substance in your heart is like an open book before Him.
You can’t fool Him with your charisma, or Christian practices. He sees what’s true.
So what do we do? I want to share a few differences between God’s Work in our hearts, and the hard work required of us.
His Work vs. Hard Work
His Work: Healing, Hard Work: Patience
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT
God will heal our hearts in His timing. Healing is a process, and quite layered. We often consider things like recovery, rest, and physical therapy for injuries to our body; how about your heart? Just like your body takes time to heal, so does your heart. Some healing will feel instant, and others take much longer. Endure the process of your heart healing journey with patience. God is doing a grand work, and the truth is, you may never fully understand it – and that’s okay! Trust in God’s ability to care for you and cover you, while you continue to recover.
He knows what He’s doing.
His Work: Conviction, Hard Work: Grace
“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” – Hebrews 416 NLT
Conviction isn’t guilt. Conviction is a strong belief and disposition towards something. When God reveals the ugly and broken things that may be residing in your heart, don’t carry the guilt. Carry His conviction with grace. Extend the same grace that God extends to you, to yourself. It won’t always be easy – sometimes complex emotions will arise, like shame and embarrassment. God reveals to heal – not expose or embarrass. God welcomes our brokenness, and reveals it to us so that we adopt a posture of surrender. God reveals the truth that remains in our hearts because many times, we can’t fully see it, or we may not know it. When a new conviction arises, don’t ignore it or carry shame because of it – extend grace to yourself, receive God’s conviction as love, and welcome the Holy Spirit’s transformation in that area of your life. There’s much more surrender to do, and that’s okay.
His Work: Transformation, Hard Work: Faithfulness
“I pray with great faith for you , because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this gracious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ!” – Philippians 1:6 TPT
A transformed heart is a work that God can do in us and through us. It’s impossible for us to transform ourselves, but through the power of His Word, we are transformed into the women God always called us to be. Heart work is hard work, because it is a work that never finishes. As long as we are on this side of Heaven, we will constantly need God to evaluate, heal, and transform our hearts. Our soul’s salvation is a continuous work, rather than a quick one. Thus, we must be faithful. We have to remain faithful to the process of transformation that the Lord desires to take us through in each and every season. Faithfulness is never easy, and rarely convenient. Be faithful in trust, and endure the hardship of emotional turmoil. The battle you face within your heart is not one you’ll have to fight forever. But it is one you’ll have to face for a season. Allow the power of God to transform your heart always, and know that His very intent is always love and care.
Don’t give up on the hard work of heart work – because one day, when God is looking for one vessel who embodies His heart and carries His posture, He will look upon you, and you’ll be His first choice.
“Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4 NET
Comments