Attached: Open Up Your Heart

Grinding may be inevitable in life, but the Bible teaches us how to handle the pressures we feel with a positive attitude while staying heart-connected with God and people.

1 O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:1-3 (NLT)

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)

The Grind – God intended it for good

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)

There will be easy days and hard days. That’s how life works. When you grind through the hard days, do you complain about it or do you see it as a chance to grow? God only allows what we can handle to happen (1 Corinthians 10:13). We learn to understand that the grind is supposed to teach us something and help us to grow.

The Bible makes it very clear: when we persevere through the hard times, we will grow to be mature. God intended for the hard days to happen because He wants us to grow and not lack anything.

The Reliance – Open up your heart

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV)

This is the evidence of relying on God. When we open up our hearts to Him, He will answer and give us a way out.

A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Just open up your hearts. We are not meant to keep everything inside. Whether you think that person can help you or not, it simply helps just to talk and be honest.

Questions/Application

• What are things I need to decide to trust God with?
• What are things I need to be praying about daily?
• What are things I need to be talking to people about daily?
• Ask God for specific help. Have faith and expect your prayers to be answered.

Prayer Ideas

• Journal out your feelings first before your prayer.
• Bring a friend or two to pray together.

Additional Reading

• Psalms
• Acts