A Trained Heart

training - A Trained Heart

Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14, NASB

Today’s Scripture verse tells us that training takes practice. It involves some progress and some defeat. At times this may mean taking two steps forward and one step back. Realizing this need for practice helps me (David) develop patience—patience with myself and patience with others who themselves are still in training, including my spouse.

This passage also implies that there is a depth of training and that my senses can be trained in discernment. This is different from training for a sport or hobby and different from job training. This is training within the human soul that sensitizes my heart to the things of God. When I train in this way, I become aware of His concerns, I share in His burdens, and I am attuned to His caring. And it’s here that sensitivity to my spouse originates, as from my “trained” heart spring forth awareness, concern, and caring.

It’s this testimony of a “sensitive” heart that we see Christ living out all through the pages of the Gospels. On one occasion He speaks of saying and doing only that which He receives from above (see John 5:19-20). On another He speaks to the issue of discernment: “As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 5:30, NASB).

Christ’s example of a sensitive heart toward His Father and toward those around Him is the example I should follow as I “train” to serve Him and to serve my spouse and family.

How, specifically, can you begin accepting the “training” of God for your ministry and for your marriage?