Devotionals for the Heart: When you need God to give you a new heart

Give Me a New Heart, Lord
A devotional by Dr. Jessica B. Turner

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” –Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV)

Have you ever experienced a moment with the Lord where you are head over heels in love with Him? You promise to give Him your all and to live a life of surrender to only find yourself stumbling over the same old sins that used to rule your life, mere days after this powerful encounter with God?

I know I have. I also remember it leaving me beaten down and convinced that I was incapable of true transformation. I suspect this is one of the biggest lies the enemy tells us. If we aren’t careful, we may believe him and give up on following God altogether.

While there are many testimonies out there displaying radical transformation that occur within a moment, I’ve discovered that it’s much more likely to experience a more drawn-out process of change.

But what if you are someone who feels as if you are constantly falling into the same transgression? You know your actions bring you farther away from God, yet you can’t seem to muster up the self-discipline to break the cycle of this specific sin. This “thing” you battle with is an idol in your life, claiming a piece of your heart.

This division is what leads to a life that feels more like a roller coaster than a joy ride. Not because everything in life is perfect and easy. We know as believers we are promised to face trials (John 16:33, James 1:2-4). More so because we are unable to control the way we respond to such challenges and when things get too hard, we lean on what makes us feel better. Because we are human, comfort typically comes in the form of over-indulgence, destructive habits, and toxic relationships.

If you relate to this, you are not alone! In my own experience, my coping mechanisms were rooted in years of unaddressed trauma. Even after realizing this and seeking counseling to help me process why I did certain things, I still struggled with turning to God as my source of everything. It wasn’t until I truly invited Jesus Christ into my heart that lasting change occurred. He took a heart that I was convinced would never be whole and made it new. He softened places that had been hardened for years and brought forth forgiveness. Jesus did what only He could do and, in the process, filled me with the Holy Spirit so I could walk in this transformed life.

So, if you are still carrying a heart that is tied to your past, find comfort in knowing that Jesus is in the business of giving out new hearts! Hearts that are so in love with Him that you no longer rely on the things that used to bring you down. Hearts that invite you to be His hands and feet through how you love others.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for the restorative hope that can be found in receiving You as my Lord and Savior. Touch my heart, Lord. Make it new. Cut all ties that are leading to a divided heart and direct my devotion to You and only You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and strengthen me to live a transformed life. Use me to be a light unto others, sharing hope that can overcome any suffering. I love You and I trust You. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Create in Me a Clean Heart” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Dr. Jessica B. Turner is a wife, mom, and LSU graduate with a degree in veterinary medicine. 

After practicing small animal medicine for six years, she traded in her stethoscope to become an online wellness coach, motivational speaker, and writer with a passion for mental health advocacy. This major life change was sparked after Jessica struggled with postpartum depression soon after she birthed her twin girls.

Along with Jessica’s career change came the discovery of who Jesus Christ really is and how He was the missing piece for her to be able to move forward in past trauma that she had suppressed for decades. Jesus walked alongside Jessica as she underwent a transformation like none other.

God transformed Jessica’s life from a broken mom who struggled with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and PTSD from witnessing an attempted suicide, to using her experiences to make her a powerful vessel for Him. To this day, God enables Jessica to touch the lives of others through her often unfiltered, yet inviting form of storytelling.

Throughout this process of refinement, Jessica has shared her life story with the world through her social media platforms, in-person events, blog posts, and podcasts. She values the gift of transparency and has discovered that what so many people need to know is that they are not alone. Jessica has walked in their shoes, and she wants the world to know that Jesus is walking with them as well.

~*~
Connect with Jessica:
Website: www.jessicabturner.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicabturner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicabturner/