81,100,000 people in the United States have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease according to the American Heart Association.
Jesus knew this would happen.
Coronary heart disease caused 425,425 deaths in 2006 and is the single leading cause of death in America today.
Jesus knew this would happen.
Controlable risk factors for heart disease include smoking, obesity, drinking, poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise.
Jesus knew this would happen too.
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth." - Luke 21:34-35
Take a moment and be honest with yourself.
What is weighing your heart down?
Fight the urge to just say "Oh, I'm fine." or to brush past the question as you carry on with your day. Stop and think about how heavy your heart is right now.
- Is it waterlogged with anxiety about your job, family, finances?
- Is it bloated with guilt from this weekend's one night stand as you searched for love?
- Are the chains of addiction causing it to quiver with fatigue?
- Has it flat lined because you need people to feel sorry for you and that's why your life is always one "crisis" after another?
All of us at some level have heart disease and Jesus knew it would happen.
But...
He also gave us a cure.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your sould. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Mathew 11:28-30
Before you do anything else today stop and pray these words...
"Jesus, I know that I have chosen to let my heart be weighed down by the sin of this world. I have sinned against you by not trusting you can provide for all my needs and I've tried to do it on my own. I am tired of being weighed down by the burdens of this world and I need your help. I am giving up my yoke of sin and placing it on your shoulders. I choose to take your yoke and will live my life free of anxiety, addiction, depression, and pride. I will find rest in You and You alone. Forgive me Father and strengthen my heart with your Love. In Jesus Name, Amen."
I pray that God is able to start doing heart surgery on you and I today. Yes, it will hurt, the recovery may take awhile, but in the end it will be worth it.
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