Consider all the gunk we’re seeing in the world right now: anger, hatred, division, and every kind of “ism” under the sun.
Could it be that our world is reflecting what’s in our hearts? Yours and mine? [Gulp.]
Sure, it’s easy to see the speck in someone else’s eye. And yet we would impale them on the plank in our own eye in our rush to help “fix” them! We would do well to remember that “what comes out of [our] mouth (emphasis mine) proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:18-19, English Standard Version).
Ouch! No wonder our words wound.
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
Stop and contemplate how you change your heart. (Can you change your heart?)
“Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin’?” (Proverbs 20:9).
We forget that heart surgery is best left to a surgeon (or the Creator of said heart).
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That’s unmerited favor from a God who didn’t want to leave anyone out. All we have to do is accept this free gift by faith with humility in our hearts.1
And yet forgiveness of sins is just the beginning of restoration. Then the real work begins!
And yet forgiveness of sins is just the beginning of restoration. Then the real work begins!
Jamie Linn Brummel
- To the extent that I can forgive myself, I can forgive others.
- To the extent that I can love myself, I can love others.
- To the extent that I can take courage myself, I can encourage others.
It must begin in our hearts and move outward. We cannot give what we do not have.
That’s really the crux of the greatest commandment stated in Mark 12:30-31, which I paraphrase here: Love God with everything you have. And love others as you love yourself.
So, if you are wondering how you can help change the ugliness out there, begin with the ugliness inside. So often we’re blind to the chronic infection raging within. Life and the devil have a way of making our souls septic over the years. If we aren’t intentional about taking our wounds to the Great Physician regularly, they will never heal.
But I can promise you this: God is the gentlest of nurses. He will clean and bandage every wound with the utmost care.
May I suggest a strategy? Set your alarm 20 minutes early. Then meet with God in a quiet spot first thing every morning. Practice being still and actively listening. The Holy Spirit will speak. (Hint: It’s best to have a journal and pen nearby. You will be astounded by what He reveals!)
Ask God for forgiveness, and then forgive yourself.
Invite Him in to perform heart surgery, and then take time to heal.
Love – truly love yourself as God loves you and calls you to love others.
And then, with every ounce of courage you can muster, take what you’ve learned and give it away.
1 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
©Jamie Linn Brummel 2021
Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement. I look forward to reading your words and walking with you on this journey. ❤️
Hey sweetie,
We could not let this special day go by without letting you know how very proud we are of you. We knew you would someday be a writer as you started composing stories in kindergarten. You have always been a good listener and had such empathy for others. We have seen your faith life increase in leaps and bounds over the years. We know God will continue in this new endeavor.
We love you very much.
Mom and Dad
Thank you for your faith — and faithful example — over the years. I truly am blessed to have the best parents in the world! Love you much!
Thanks, Cheryl! You’ve been one of my biggest supporters in this journey. So glad I get to share it with you.
Congratulations on reaching the goal of launching this site! May it inspire many to look up! Look in! Reach out!
Thanks, Mom! Love you!
Wonderful!
Thanks, Di! I appreciate your support.
I would like future posts!
Thanks for the encouragement, friend!
So proud of you for getting this site up and running and following your dream. You have always spoken to my heart and I can’t wait to continue to hear your beautiful words.
Aww, Kate! You’ve been such an encourager to me. Much love and many thanks!
Beautiful my friend. I feel so blessed to be a small part of your journey.
Thank you, Renee! I’m so privileged to journey closely with you.
YAY Jamie! I’m so happy you have stepped out and I am excited to see and savor all you have to share. Love you bunches my sweet soul sister!
Your words are a sweet melody in heart. Love you, too, Susie!
Oh my friend, what an incredible first post. You wrote this just for me, right? 💗. Thank you for sharing your gift with all of us, what a blessing. I can only imagine the time you put into this commitment, do again I say Thank You! 🙏💟
Aww! I’m so glad it touched you, Sharon. Thanks for letting me know.
A longtime prayer, coming to fruition.
Well begun, Jamie.
Blessings in abundance- Jane
And you have been a faithful prayer partner through it all! Thanks, Jane. You’re up to bat next!
Love this and so grateful that you’ve been able to realize this part of your dream of writing. Can’t wait to glean wisdom from you 😘
Whether you realize it or not, you were a large part of God’s “big picture” that He put before me on Weekend #256. Your faith that the weekend would go on (with or without power in the middle of an ice storm) inspired my bravery to finally say on Sunday, “I’m a writer.” Love you, Kate!
I am so happy for you! Love this. It is beautiful.
Thank you, Brenda! And thank you for encouraging me in my calling and traveling life with me. I’m blessed!
I miss you dear friend! Love to hear your words. Congrats on the site and putting yourself out there to achieve long planned and desired dreams. Love you. Plan to grow with you
Oh, I miss you, too! Thank you for such kind words of encouragement. Love ya!
Love this Jamie. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom and encouragement!
Thank you, Barb! Glad to see you in this space. You’ve taught me a lot by your example through the years.
Looking forward to reading more. Your words are filled with wisdom, encouragement and hope. Can’t wait to stroll with you on this journey.
You are so sweet, Sally. I’m so glad to travel life with you!
Congratulations on this, Jamie! I look forward to more where this one came from 🙂
,
Thank you, dear friend!
I am so proud of you and look forward to your encouraging words! I can’t wait to share this with others!
Thank you, Lauren! It means a lot to me that you would share my words.