HEART CONDITION

 “If needs are unmet and the stakes are high, negative motivations are likely to be revealed.”

Lori Riner, Inspirational Intelligence

We all have needs. As we develop and grow, awareness of our needs helps us live happy, healthy lives. Our needs can range from spending time alone to listening to music or going for a walk. They help us bring our best to life and work. Motivations are linked to our needs. If needs are unmet and the stakes are high, negative motivations are likely to be revealed. Negative motivations are linked to stress and behaviors that are not good. These need to be dealt with aggressively, because they not only make us miserable but can also damage the relationships around us. Taking responsibility for our needs and making sure they are met in healthy positive ways is important. Addressing the motivations behind our actions and behaviors is a choice we make each time we interact with others. Joyce Meyer says, “I want you to understand this: Every time you feel like doing the wrong thing and you choose to do the right thing, you are growing—and God is smiling.”

Commit to examine the motivations of your heart. In this busy, loud world, constantly clamoring for attention, it’s easy to be driven by urgency and commotion. Reactive and uncreative, without even being aware, precious parts of our hearts can stagnate. Ask the hard question, “What is my motivation?” Be honest with your answer and be diligent to guard and nurture your heart. 

A surrendered heart is a heart that God controls. With surrender comes protection and freedom as we allow God room to do His part and we move in obedience to do ours. Surrender in God’s Kingdom is not about loss but actually about gain. Martin Luther describes it well, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” The salvation, protection, refuge, and faithfulness described in Psalm 91 are gained by trusting God through surrender. Trusting God drives away the fear of being found out and leads us to the realm of being known. Surrendering our heart to God leads us to knowing Him better. The more we know God, the greater impact and influence our life will have.