The heart of the matter isn't the matter

When things get us down, we usually blame our depression or distressed feelings on outside circumstances or other people.  People say things like, "If you knew how bad things were on my job (or at home, etc.), you'd understand why I'm so angry."  But as Jesus says, our happiness isn't dependent on outside circumstances or other people.   The heart of the matter isn't the matter it's the heart.

Corrie ten Boom and her father, sister and uncle were all sentenced to Nazi concentration camps for helping more than 140 Jews escape from the Nazi-occupied Netherlands.  She was the only member of her family to make it out of the camps alive.  Although she could never change the terrible circumstances of her past, she became an example of love and forgiveness that has inspired millions.  How?  Her happiness and sense of spiritual fulfillment were not tethered to what had happened in the past to those she loved but were dependent on her heart in the present.  Her heart was focused upon eternal truths, such as her love for GOD, and those who crossed her daily path.  She learned to treasure those things that couldn't be lost or frayed with time.

Jesus told us, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44, NKJV).  But Jesus not only talked the talk, he walked the walk.  Even as he was suffering on the cross, Jesus interceded on behalf of the men who had nailed him to that cross, as well as those who had mocked him, spit on him, and gambled on his clothes.

Believing in the words and wisdom of Jesus means making the choice to trust in him, learn from his teachings, and follow his example.  As we do this, he promises that we will discover a new source of life, joy, and blessing; they will flow from within our heart to those around us.  He said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (Jn. 7:37-38, NKJV).