Our hearts are important to us, and we rely upon them to live.  There are things that we are encouraged to do, to care for them.   Just as there are ways to have and maintain a healthy heart physically, there are some keys to having and maintaining a spiritually healthy heart.  Here are 5 keys or things for us to consider in caring for our hearts spiritually.

1. Follow a heart healthy diet:  Limit what you take in and expose your heart to.  Images and attitudes filtered through our brains have an effect upon our heart.  The bible says that “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it.”  It has a propensity for a bad diet and we need to protect it from what would have it stray or become callused.  Do expose it to a balanced diet of the word, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

     2.  Exercise regularly: Using proper breathing, by depending upon the Spirit, daily exercise is key.  The exercises should include periods of short intervals and endurance.  The routines should build relationship with the father and community.  In addition, our muscles for the service of others need to developed and maintained.  Finally, the above routines need to be a regular part of our lives.

     3. Lead a healthy lifestyle:  Much has been written on this in the bible.  Follow it diligently, as it tells us what to limit and avoid, how to reduce stress, and how to keep our eyes upon him.

     4. Keep tabs on the indicators of developing heart disease:  Spending time in reflection and introspection, staying in the word, and asking the great physician to show you where problems may be developing, are a must.

     5. Include healthy heart nutrients:  Praying, periods of solitude, and scripture memorization to name a few.

How do you maintain your heart spiritually?

Picture: The Keys to my heart, by aussiegall