Healthy Hearts
By Capazin Thornton
I love February because there are so many good things going on—especially developing and maintaining healthy hearts.
Healthy Hearts Focus
February is Heart Health Awareness Month, raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention. It is a great time to become educated about heart disease and develop habits for better heart health. After my 21-day Daniel fast in January, I am personally determined to maintain healthy eating habits and exercise more.
February is African-American History Month, raising awareness and paying tribute to generations of African-Americans who overcame adversity to become great contributors to every aspect of American culture. What a fantastic opportunity to tear down artificial barriers that separate us—such as skin color.
And, then there’s Valentine’s Day. What a great time to celebrate love, friendship, relationships, birthdays . . . and eat chocolate!
Developing Healthy Hearts Spiritually
We also need to develop healthy hearts spiritually. Here are five ways:
- Focus on things that matter
- Follow after God
- Fill up on God’s Word
- Forgive always
- Freely love people with the God kind of love
Focus on things that matter
Focus on hearing God. Note that the word “ear” makes up three-fourths of the word “hear.” Also “ear” is in the center of “heart.” Hearing God requires that we listen and hear with our ears and our hearts. It these perilous times, it is crucial that we know and hear God’s voice for ourselves.
Follow after God
To follow after means to pursue, to run after. When you pursue the LORD, goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall pursue you all the days of your life. (Ps 23:6, AMP)
Fill up on God’s Word
The more of God’s Word you know, rightly divide, and apply to your life the less likely you will be deceived. (2 Tim 2:15)
Forgive always
I am convinced there is a connection between natural heart disease and spiritual heart disease. Self-evaluate. Practice forgiving immediately and maintaining a forgiving disposition.
Freely love people with the God kind of love
The God kind of love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Stay in the love of God. Freely pour out God’s love to others. You will prosper spirit, soul and body. (Rom 5:5; Jude 1:21)
To healthy hearts in 2015, and beyond!
***
Please feel free to post comments or questions.
Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher, and author in Orange County, California.
