How's your Heart?

​Many years ago, I worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry selling a product to cardiovascular doctors.  During this time, I learned more about the heart than I ever thought I would. When talking with the doctors, I learned about things that effected the heart and things that would damage a heart. High cholesterol, triglycerides, and hypertension – all well-known foes of wreaking havoc in the heart. So fast forward 15 years, I was sitting in the doctor’s office getting my annual checkup and going over my blood work. Everything was good except my blood pressure was high. I blamed it on raising three daughters, but he assured me it was not from that as we laughed together. He then put me on one of my old meds that I used to sell many years ago. So later while sitting in my office, I got thinking about how high cholesterol, triglycerides, and hypertension are devastating on the heart but there are four other enemies of the heart that can’t be measured in the doctor’s office and big pharma has nothing to touch them as they wreak havoc on young and old alike.
 
They’re the four primary enemies of the heart – four life blocking agents that become lodged in the heart, poisoning relationships, our walk with God, and our character. Here they are: Guilt, Anger, Greed, and Jealousy. Yes, we have all dealt with these in some way. They each result in a debt to debtor dynamic that always causes damage in any relationship.
 
Guilt says, “I owe you.” Guilt is the result of having done something we perceived is wrong because when we do wrong is can be looked at as an act of theft and if I steal from you, I owe you. Therefore, when you deal with guilt in your heat the message you hear is, “I Owe”.
 
Anger says, “you owe me.” Raise your hand if you have been angry with someone and felt like they owed you? My hand is raised so I know your hand is raised. Think about watching your kids or someone else’s kids play in the sandbox and then all of sudden they get angry because they want to play with a toy that another kid is playing with. Why do they get angry? It’s because they are not getting something they want. Sound familiar? It does for me.
 
Greed says, “I owe me.” Greedy people believe that they deserve every good thing that comes their way. You may be thinking I don’t think I deserve every good thing. Well let’s think of it this way – What’s mine is mine because I earned it. Hmmm, did that sound familiar? We all deal with this. I remember a time I didn’t want someone to use my truck because I didn’t want them to mess it up. Well at least that what I told myself. The reason is because I was greedy and didn’t want them to use it because it was mine.
 
Jealousy says, “God owes me.” We all have looked at someone else’s stuff and said I should have that. I mean when God was handing out those cars he forgot about me. What about when you brother fits into pants that are a 32-inch waste and you have to wear husky pants and you exercise just as much as he does. (I have never thought that LOL.) Have you ever looked at someone’s social media and want “their life” as you scroll through their perfect pictures of well-behaved kids, exciting adventures, fit body, beautifully decorated home, etc.
 
Do you recognize any of the enemies of the heart in your life? I know I do. After we see the problem, which is easy, but the hard question is what we do about it. When we have hypertension or other heart problems we don’t ignore it do we? No, we go get help or a med that can help. Speaking from experience on all this, if your dealing with one of these, I would challenge you to lean on someone that can help you. If your Christ follower, step back and ask Christ to help you manage these things that you have in your heart. Talk to a loved one, councilor or leader in your Church. Seek guidance in books, seminars or small groups.
You are not alone.