“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Almond milk only lasts about 72 hours in my house. If that. I feel like every time I turn around, I’m running out of things and it’s time to stock up again.

Honestly, I’m tempted to stop turning around.

But since I can’t do that, before I ever step foot in Publix or scroll through their delivery app, I take time to go through my house.

We definitely need more bread…

How’d we already go through ALL the almond milk?!

Oh! Toilet paper! Let me go ahead and get that in bulk…

Taking inventory of my house lets me know exactly what I need more of before going grocery shopping. 

And I often have to do the same thing with my heart. 

Because as scripture shows us, the condition of our hearts is pretty important:

• We should guard our hearts because it’s the source of our lives (Proverbs 4:23). 
• While man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 17:9-10).
• Sin of all kinds begins in our hearts (Matthew 5:28; Matthew 15:18-19; Mark 7:20-23).
• What’s in our hearts will eventually come to the surface (Luke 6:45).
• Our hearts show us who we really are (Proverbs 27:19).

Bottom line, our hearts are our spiritual lifeline, so we need to take inventory of them frequently. 

But that process isn’t always easy.

Trust me, sis. My heart’s desire is to look more and more like Christ every day. But I’m not perfect. AT ALL.

I’ve missed the mark plenty of times, and Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer I pray often.

And when God shows me thoughts, actions, or behaviors I have that don’t align with His word, that conviction doesn’t feel good.

But this is what I’m learning.

When God shows us something in our hearts that offends Him, we should be quick to repent and respond to Him in obedience (Psalm 51:10). That’s the only way spiritual growth happens.

And no, I’m not saying that being imperfect is an excuse to continue in sin or in ways that grieve God (Romans 6:1-4). But when we do miss the mark, I’m thankful that God’s love, grace, and mercy endures forever, and that there’s no condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:38-39; Romans 5:20-21; Lamentations 3:22-23; Romans 8:1).

So let’s be eager to take inventory of our hearts. Knowing that when we do, we have an opportunity to look more like our Savior.

Okay, sis. Let’s Recap!

Taking inventory of our hearts helps us grow spiritually, and our response to conviction should be quick repentance and obedience to God. 

And while imperfections aren’t an excuse to continue in ways that grieve God, when we do miss the mark, in this we can be confident: The steadfast love, grace, and mercy of God never ends.

Pause & Reflect

1. When’s the last time you took inventory of your heart?
   1. Read Psalm 139:23-24 aloud as a prayer each day. As God begins to show you where your heart needs attention, write it down, be quick to repent of it, and ask God to give you the strength and strategy to turn away from it and towards Him.
      1. P.S. – Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone during this process, sis. Remember, you’re not alone. 💜