I was diagnosed the other day with something called “first-degree heart block.” It sounded like a “made-up” name to me. Now, before you freak out, it’s not a big deal. It simply refers to a very short electrical impulse delay from the top of my heart to the bottom of the heart. So I have to keep an eye on it, so to speak. But it did direct my attention to the heart. A significant portion of our overall health depends on our heart. That makes an accurate diagnosis and wise related activities and prescriptions so essential.
It’s almost intuitive that the Bible emphasizes the importance of the heart. It repeatedly describes it as the source of actions, emotions, and a healthy spiritual life. Proverbs 4:23 is pretty straightforward: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In the midst of repentance, David declares to God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” in Psalm 51. These passages highlight the heart’s significance in both our relationship with God and our dealings with the world. The word “heart” appears over 1,000 times in the Bible, depending on the translation.
To keep your physical heart healthy: 1. Eat a heart-healthy diet. 2. Get active and stay active. 3. Maintain a healthy weight. 4. Don’t smoke. 5. Control your cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressure. 6. Manage stress in your life and get enough sleep.
To keep your spiritual heart healthy: 1. Focus on developing your relationship with God. 2. Practice spiritual disciplines including prayer, Bible study, rest, forgiveness, and fellowship. 3. Cultivating positive habits like letting go of negativity and seeking God’s guidance in your decisions.