God created mankind in His image and entrusted each of us with a heart. The word “heart” is used over 700 times in Scripture. It refers to our inner man, the core of our being, our mission control center. The heart is the composite of thoughts, desires, emotions and beliefs that guide our daily choices. That is why Solomon urged his son, “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Pr. 4:23). We use our heart to worship something – whether the God of heaven and earth or something else we believe will bring us comfort, joy and satisfaction.
— Steve Viars, Pastor und Buchautor für biblische Seelsorge
Related Bible passage: PRO.4.23
Topics: Meaning & Identity, Wisdom & Understanding, Faith & Trust
Occasions: For Reflection
Steve Viars
Steve Viars ist ein US-amerikanischer evangelikaler Pastor und Buchautor, der von 1996 bis 2024 die Faith Church in Lafayette (Indiana) leitete. Er ist eine prägende Stimme der modernen biblischen Seelsorgebewegung und vertritt den Ansatz, seelische Nöte und Lebenskrisen strikt anhand biblischer Prinzipien anstelle säkularer Psychotherapie zu bearbeiten. Seine Schriften bieten Bibellesern systematische Hilfestellungen zu Themen wie Vergebung und Vergangenheitsbewältigung, während sein Gemeindedienst 2024 durch einen kirchenintern veranlassten Rücktritt endete.
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I am the prodigal son every time I search for unconditional love where it cannot be found.
Henri Nouwen
To love a person means to see them as God meant them to be.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Inner dignity remains, even when performance capacity and social role decline.
Anselm Grün
There is a God, and I'm not him.
John Mark Comer
God has put eternity into our hearts and filled it with longing.
John Piper
Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.
Eugene Peterson