It has been said before that humans, on our best days, can be difficult to communicate with… and we now find ourselves in a pandemic.  Covid and its serious implications, long-term effects, and even death have caused fear and dread in the hearts of many.  Results from the government shut-down, economic hardships, and school cancellations created havoc in a thousands of families. 

While we’ve always been asked to let Jesus be seen in us ~ I’m convinced that we will be able to make even more of an impact now, by being purposeful in our communication to those around us.  Taking a break from focusing on our physical temperature… let’s measure the temperature of our hearts.

Healthy, Godly Hearts Will:

• Deny Self
• Serve Others
• Forgive when Mistreated
• Seek Unity
• Be a Peacemaker
• Think the Best of Others
• Live as if Thankful for Grace

Unhealthy, Selfish Hearts will: 

• Have a Negative Attitude
• Be Easily Wounded
• Mirror Rude Behavior 
• Gossip
• Fan Flames of Discord
• Promote Drama
• Dwell on Faults of Others
• Be Unforgiving
• Exalt Self

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”  Corie Ten Boom

In Corie Ten Boom’s book, “The Hiding Place,” God was her light in a very dark time.  I appreciate her example in forgiving those who hurt her and her family in unimaginable ways. She speaks of a strength that comes from God, to be able to forgive no matter what we encounter. In the Bible, as Daniel “purposed in his heart” that he would not be defiled in Babylon (Daniel 1:8), we too can purpose in our hearts to live with kindness-on-purpose, and a readiness to forgive.   Rather than being led by emotion in the heat of the moment, we will instead use strength and endurance to shine our lights, being tenderhearted, with Jesus as our perfect example.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. 

Ephesians 4:32