Mid Week Epistole -How to Strengthen Your Heart by Jim Massey

HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART!
I once read an article that described a major cause of heart disease among individuals today. It was not one of the familiar ones that we have heard so much about, but it was an emotion that dwells deep in the heart of many people. Here is a part of the article: “Hopelessness is hard on the heart, according to a four-year study of 942 middle-aged men who were asked to measure their feelings of hopelessness (defined as feeling like a failure or having an uncertain future). Those reporting high levels of hopelessness had a 20 percent greater incident of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which often sets the stage for heart attacks.” (“Taking Care” Vol. 19 - Issue 12 Dec. 1997)
Hopelessness - can you imagine the chance of heart attack among the disciples at times as they were walking with Jesus and things were not going the way they wanted? Then the Master would calm their frazzled nerves and call them to look with their hearts in another direction - always to God, always to the Kingdom, always toward one another. That was His challenge to them. It was the only cure then and it is the only cure now for hopelessness.
The strength of the heart is the assurance of the Savior. He can walk the paths of this world and still see an answer to our despair. He still has compassion for all the people, and not just for the ones that are close and easy to see, but the ones that are outcast and quiet, standing along the road as the parade of churches and Christians go by, longing for relief from a heart that is breaking with hopelessness.
Will you offer the Christ to others? Will you relieve the pain and suffering that others feel when they are caught up in the sights and sounds of a troubled world by taking the time to pray, touch, and offer the great hope of God? I wonder if we would do this, if there would be fewer heart attacks in this world today?

Almighty God, just as you touched our lives, may we touch and calm the lives of others this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus the Holy Christ. Amen.