Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Heart Healing



“That’s what we must pray for, each of us — A new heart.  Not a heart of stone, but a heart open to the fears and hopes and challenges of our fellow citizens.”
President Barack Obama - Dallas - July 12, 2016

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; 
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

The first healing books that I read were by Norman Cousins, The Anatomy of an Illness  and the companion Healing Heart.  I remember thinking how important it is to look for the other dimensions of disease of what I had only understood as pathophysiology.  

Yesterday, was a time to think anew about “a change of heart”, “a new heart”.  We need a new way forward.   The old responses have disappointed and have fallen short of our expectations.  We need to think and act differently if we expect reconciliation.  Where will be find this kind of heart healing?

The faith community is the one place that is equipped for this task.  We have become separated from this source of care and change.  Our “hearts” need to be reconnected with each other and the faith that sustains us.  The Lord promises this to his people who were broken and oppressed.  We believe that promise is still at work in the actions of people of faith.

Marvin

References

Cousins, N. (1983). Anatomy of an Illness. Bantam Doubleday Dell.
Cousins, N. (1984). Healing Heart. Avon Books (Mm).