How Is Your (Heart) Posture?

Believe it or not, poor posture does affect your health. It can lead to neck and back problems if not corrected. Whether you sit at a desk all day, or browse your smartphone on the couch, it is often hard to remember to straighten up during the day. My wife will often give me a stern elbow while sitting in church, and that’s just a little “loving” reminder to sit up nice and tall, and put those shoulders back. Like a good husband--I usually listen.

Although I am truly convinced of the importance of healthy living and taking care of our “temple,” I am often reminded that God’s work is very much inward. It’s the shaping of my heart into the image of Christ that brings on great transformation and spiritual health.

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29.

We often tend to put a lot of emphasis on physical posture and health, but what about your heart? How is your heart’s posture toward the things of God? Is it upright and open to Him and His Word? Or is it slouching into apathy and coldness towards His will and purpose for your life?

There is no better “loving reminder” to straighten up our heart’s health then the Word of God. It is our nudge to keep our hearts open and right with Jesus throughout the day. Here are three ways to help with your heart’s posture as you go about today:

1. Keep short accounts with God.

Sin will make you slouch. There is doubt about it. Sin destroys your spiritual health and contaminates any good thing God tries to place into your life. One of the greatest lessons that I learned at a young age, was to keep short accounts with God--keep my sins confessed.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9.

How soon should you confess your sins to God? ASAP. Don’t let much time pass before your get that specific sin confessed to God. The longer you wait the more your heart will get used to the comfort of slouching--but the implications are detrimental.

• Confront your sin - get honest about it

• Confess your sin - literally means to say the same thing as God. (Call it what it is--God already knows)

• Continue - Don’t let guilt of the past paralyze you from God’s blessings for the future

2. Consult Christ in every decision--BIG or small

This may seem elementary but it’s so vitally important. We often clock-in at our jobs and work our busy schedules without much thought of Christ. Sure we may start our day in His Word, but then we put on our “work hat” and keep our spiritual lives out of our secular lives. Jesus wishes for us to Keep the Door Open to Him all day long.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, (emphasis mine) and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Many times, we do not acknowledge Him in our decisions because we do not trust that He will make the right one. Let him direct your paths, big or small. Even if it’s on what you are deciding to wear that day. Let Him lead your heart.

3. Be quick to thank Him for the little things

Nothing accelerates your heart’s health like giving praise and thanks to God! It is an attitude that energizes your mind and gives you the support that you truly need throughout the day.

“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100).

As soon as the blessing lands in your lap, straighten your heart’s posture to God. Give Him the praise that He deserves. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17).

How is your heart’s posture to God? Do you keep short accounts with Him? Are you quick to consult Him? Do you stop and praise him for the little things?

Like my wife does to me on occasion can I give you a little nudge and challenge you to keep your posture in check? As you browse the aisle for Valentine’s Day and see the big signs and boxes shaped like hearts, let it serve as a reminder to you to keep your heart’s posture in check toward the things of God.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.