The Root of the Problem

Long-winded and verbose, typically does not equate to insightful, or even, necessarily, sane. Often the briefest statements are the most important: such as the Magna Carta, The Declaration of Independence, or the UN Declaration of Human Rights. In the spirit of concision with compellng clarity, and hopefully, a clarion call to action, I give you this. And remember, Habeas Corpus, The Great Writ,…

New Post has been published on https://www.crownofcompassion.org/2019/01/20/never-dealing-with-the-root-problem/

Never dealing with the root problem

“The Bible attributes a great many evils to this other [intangible] heart. . . . we tend to reach for remedies to address our symptoms without ever really dealing with the root problem.  And so the symptoms never seem to go away.”- Andy Stanley

In Chapter 2 (“All Is Not As It Seems”) of Enemies of the Heart, Andy Stanley notes that behavior isn’t always an accurate indicator of what’s going on inside your physical or spiritual heart.  Pastor Stanley illustrates his point using a pear tree as an example.

Suppose your yard contained a pear tree that produced an abundance of pears every year.  Since this tree yields so many pears, it can’t bear the weight of all its fruit.  As a result, your yard becomes a sea of pears.  Thus, it’s difficult to cut your grass.  And the rotting pears smell awful.

However, picking up all the pears only serves as a temporary solution.  Sooner or later, you must repeat the process.  Therefore, you need to take a more permanent approach.

And, Pastor Stanley observes, that’s (picking up) precisely the way we need to deal with our heart problems.  We pick up and apologize – with all sincerity.  But then we repeat our mistakes.  Also, we blame and explain.  Yet, nothing really changes.  So, if the solution involved changing a few behaviors, you already would have detected them.  If you only needed to try harder, the problem would be licked by now.

Finally, Andy uses the example of a verbal outburst to explain his point about a root problem:

“You think that outburst was an exception.  And in one way it was.  It was an exception to your general rule of not allowing what’s in your heart to be exposed to the rest of the world.  But . . . that embarrassing outburst wasn’t an exception to what’s in your heart.  Indeed, it was a reflection of what’s really swirling around down there (emphasis author’s).”

Today’s question: What Bible verses help you in dealing with the root problem in your heart?  Please share.

New Post has been published on https://www.crownofcompassion.org/2019/01/19/spiritual-heart-disease-the-root-problem/

Spiritual heart disease - the root problem

“We’re tempted to treat the ancillary, symptomatic challenges that stem from an unhealthy heart while ignoring the deeper issues. . . .  eventually the root problem will become a real problem . . . . so spiritual heart disease has the potential to destroy you and squeeze the life out of your most valuable relationships.”- Andy Stanley

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”- Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

Andy Stanley concludes Chapter 1 of Enemies of the Heart as he states that when you notice things starting to slip a bit, that’s merely a symptom of a deeper struggle.   For example, although you’ve contained your anger previously, now there’s an edge in your voice.  It even scares you.  Consequently, your heart is under assault.  And you might even be losing.  Primarily, Andy notes , through neglect.

Furthermore, the following statements provide evidence of an internal battle:

“I can’t believe I just said/did that.”

“I don’t know where that came from.”

“That’s not like me.”

Therefore, in Enemies of the Heart, Pastor Stanley identifies four primary enemies of the heart.  Next, he challenges us to embrace four new habits of the heart.  Thus, change must happen from the inside out. In other words, we need a heart capable of keeping pace with our outward obedience.

Finally, at some point in life, each of us must face the painful truth that all is not well.  Since we’re still a work in progress, some heart work still needs to be done.  Just remember, Andy counsels, your heart didn’t develop it’s present condition overnight.  So, it won’t get healthier overnight either.  Pastor Stanley explains:

“You can’t over come in an instant the effects of years of blockage caused by guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.  Adopting new habits of the heart is a process that will yield some immediate results.”

Today’s question: What do you see as the root problem causing your spiritual heart disease?  Please share.