Freedom Through Forgivenessنموونە

Ask God to Search Your Heart

"Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life." - Psalm 139:23-24 MSG

There were instances in my life when I thought I had dealt with the past, but it was not resolved. Sometimes, I would be reading a book, and when I came across certain issues, I would feel uncomfortable. Immediately, I knew there was more to be done.

One day, while reading the book “Good or God” by John Bevere, the topic of having a fully submitted heart arose. I remember exactly where I was during my lunch break, in my car, reading a book as part of my lunch fast.

When I read the section about fully submitting my heart, I said to myself, ‘There is nothing that I am holding back.’ However, on the inside, I heard, "No, you still have one area where you are not fully submitted." So I replied, “Where?” (Note: I didn't ask where with a heart of trying to find where; I asked with a heart of "prove it to me.") I am so thankful that God is patient with us.

I was immediately reminded of a time when I told my pastors that I would never put myself in a position to be hurt again. I said,

"It would take a cow moonwalking backward and talking donkey for me to do that again."

Right then and there, I realized that I was still holding on to some pain. My heart was not fully submitted, and I had to ask God to reveal it to me.

We all need to ask God to search our hearts regularly. We need it. It's not only that we allow evil thoughts in, but sometimes we also fail to handle the thoughts that come to us correctly. When this happens, God needs to help us correct it. This is part of being a human living in a fallen world. Although we are new creations in Christ, we are not perfect, and we all need correction from time to time.

Dig Deeper

If we don't want to forgive, we need to dig deep to understand why we resist it. Hopefully, by now, you have changed your heart on this. If not, keep going. Dig a little deeper to find out why you don't want to forgive. Remember, you can also ask God for help on this matter.

When you ask God, it's probably going to be an answer you don't like—but listen anyway. In my example above, fortunately, I made the heart adjustment right then and there. My actions also followed suit over time. However, this would not have happened if I hadn't allowed God in my heart by asking, "Where?"

Even though I asked with a little attitude, He is a loving God who still showed me. If you ask Him, He will help you.