Yeah, I know what you mean –

I was there for a couple of years.

The weight on my shoulders became too heavy to carry.  The barrel walls so deep, thick and high crushed in on every side.  Digging, scratching, screaming or crying my way out did not help.

Depression – my poor family and friends. Surely, they felt like screaming to hear one more thing.

I realized relief into addictions can be very appealing at such times.

Pop another pill prescribed or otherwise to help fall asleep.  Drink another glass or bottle of liquor to numb the pain.  Escape into a marital affair.  Hide in emotional eating binges/disorders.  Delve into unhealthy extended work hours. Seek others to help reason your way out to bring any kind of relief.  All these may bring relief for a while, but the deeper problem still exists.  A deeper problem embedded in the heart.

Oh, where can one go to truly heal the heart? –

It can be healed through our weakness and intentional turning into the Lord,  surrendering the heart to Him.

As God’s promises were true to Israel to give them a new heart, so He does for those who turn and trust in Christ.  The process can be wrenching, but the healing complete if you’re willing to go there.

“I’m going to give you a new heart, and I’m going to give you a new spirit within all of your deepest parts. I’ll remove that rock-hard heart of yours and replace it with one that’s sensitive to me.”  Ezekiel 36:26 ISV

A heart sensitive to the Lord, not to the world for answers gives Him room to peel away the layers of hurt, sorrow and pain.  He opens the eyes of the heart to His mercy, grace and love.

It all begins with a prayer and a whisper. –  

Begin by pulling away from the loud, worldly distractions.

Repent and offer up to God your broken spirit.  A broken and contrite heart, God, will not despise.

Invite Christ to live in your heart, to transform you from the inside.

Make time for quiet moments as God whispers to your heart and soul.

Daily, read His Living Word – the apples of gold in settings of silver.

The #1 best seller, the Bible, breathes life into the soul and opens the heart to God’s intimate wisdom, revelation and deep mysteries.

Pray, wait, and watch with Him.  In quiet, listen for His whisper as the transformation begins.

Instead of a New Year’s resolution for 2016, resolve in your heart to seek the Lord through the year.

His promises are true.  The God of second chances will restart your heart and move it in a new direction.

Happy New Year!