My Heart Was Beginning to Fail

I saw something on social media the other day that angered me.  I was so angry, I was shaking - so bad that I could hardly repost the outrageous thing I had just witnessed that clearly the rest of the world needed to be aware of.

A friend of mine posted a response that, in my anger, I saw as an attack on my actions.

I responded with firm words, making it very clear how I felt.  I didn't want to be mean but I needed it known where I stood.

She then responded, again, clarifying what she posted.

Back-step to right before that - right after my "firm words".  

I was working on a project that caused me to be on my knees.  After I left my rebuttal, I sat back and felt I was not alone.  The Spirit took me by the shoulders, it seemed, and just sat there with me, waiting for me to recognize what He knew I needed to hear.  This is all wrong.

In that moment, I became aware.  I felt the love of my Heavenly Father.  He reminded me of the person I am and claim to be and the things I value in myself.  He saw that I was heading down a path that I would regret.  The anger was entering my heart and taking hold.  He saw clearly that I was quickly losing sight of myself and helped me see it before it was too late.

He knows me, is mindful of me*, and knew that if I were truly aware of what was happening, I wouldn't be happy.

Go back to my friend's second response... She said she hesitated in posting what she did but felt prompted by the Spirit to do so.  With her words, it became even more clear to me the message I was supposed to hear:

If I'm not careful, my heart will fail me**.

Contention is in the air.  We are experiencing events that have been prophesied by many.  We have been admonished to #HearHim.  The Lord knew it would grow increasingly difficult to discern between the voices in our hearts if we don't fine-tune our skills in hearing the right one, the one that will guide us down the right path back to Him.

There are better, more effective ways to make my voice heard and effect change.  Blasting on social media does not achieve anything but the spread of negativity.  The adversary isn't picky how this happens, and by my posting something that I felt strongly was in pursuit of justice and standing for what's right, I was simply helping him spread more hate.  I do not want to be an instrument in the wrong hands.

I see more and more this anger I spoke of spreading to the hearts of those I know and love.  Don't let the voice of the adversary be louder than the voice of the One who knows and see all and has the power to, nay, has already overcome, the world and all of its rising evil.  Take a step back.  Check yourself.  Don't let your heart fail you.

*verse 37
**verse 26