A lesson in the heart...

I had a hard time with this post this evening. In fact, I almost tacked a big TO BE CONTINUED sign on the door...but I decided that I needed to dig deep and spit something out. Now that we have all that brutal honesty out in the open.....let's get down to bizzyness.
Tonight we are going to discuss something I read quite a few days ago. I am choosing to revisit it and share it with all of you, dear readers, because...well...I'm generous like that. You can thank me later. Tonight we are going to learn about the heart. To be more direct, we are going to learn about leading your heart. OK...pay attention.
Chapter 1. ~What Is The Heart?
~Your Identity. Your heart is the most important part of who you are. It is the center of your being, where the "real you" resides.
~Your Center. Since your physical heart is in the center of your body and sends life-giving blood out to every living cell, the word "heart" has been used for centuries to describe the core starting place of all your thoughts, beliefs, values, motives, and convictions. No really...I read all that.
~Your Headquarters. Your heart is the Pentagon of your operations. As a result, every area of your life is impacted by the direction of your heart.
Chapter 2. ~What's Wrong With Following My Heart?
~It's Foolish. The world says "Follow your heart!" Because it sounds all romantic and noble, it sells millions of books and songs are written about it. The problem is that following your heart usually means chasing after whatever feels right at the moment whether or not it actually is right. It means throwing caution and conscience to the wind and pursuing your latest whims and desires...regardless of what good logic and counsel are saying. Even if you listen. Which most of us don't.
~It's Unreliable. People forget that feelings and emotions are shallow, fickle, and unreliable. They can fluctuate depending on circumstances. In an effort to follow their hearts, people have quit jobs to start up shitty garage bands, lost life savings on a trip to Vegas, or left soul mates for younger, prettier, pieces of ass. What feels right in the height of passion often rears it's ugly head as a mistake a few years later. Karma.
~It's Corrupt. The truth is, our hearts are basically selfish and sinful. It's true. Unless our hearts are genuinely changed by God, they will continue to choose wrong. For years...and years.
Chapter 3. ~Should I Ever Follow My Heart?
~Just as your heart can direct you toward hatred, lust and violence (sometimes toward the same person), it can also be driven by love, truth, and kindness. As you learn to walk with God, He will put dreams in your heart that He wants to fulfill in your life. He will give you the desire to give and to worship. As you put God first, He will step in and fulfill the good desires of your heart. The only path in following your heart is when you know your heart is intent on serving and pleasing God.
Chapter 4. ~Why Is Following My Heart Not Enough?
~Because our hearts are so subject to change, and so completely untrustworthy, we should lead our hearts. This means to take full responsibility for its condition and direction. Realize that you do have control over where your heart is. We have all been given the power to take the heart off of one thing and set it on something else.
Chapter 5. ~How Do I Lead My Heart?
~First you need to understand that your heart follows your investment. Whatever you put your time, money and energy into will draw your heart.
~Check Your Heart. One of the keys to successfully leading your heart is to constantly be aware of where it is.
~Guard Your Heart. When something unhealthy offers itself to you, it is your responsibility to guard your heart against temptation.
~Set Your Heart. It's time to identify where your heart needs to be and then choose to set your heart on those things. I know. You've set your heart on something in the past and you are stuck in the "follow your heart" mentality. But you don't have to let your feelings lead you any more. You have the choice.
~Invest Your Heart. Don't wait until you feel like doing the right thing. Start now with the relationships you have. The more you invest the greater the reward.
WOW. For not wanting to blog tonight I sure had alot to say huh? Thanks to my reading for some much needed inspiration. We can all do this...together. It will be tough at first...but the end result? Stronger hearts and closer relationships....not only to ourselves and our loved ones...but also to God. And that's the one that really matters.

...Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.

Tonight I pray for my heart. I pray for the strength to lead it and the courage to try. I pray for all of your hearts as well. And I pray for her. Unceasingly.
Goodnight and God bless.