Matters of the Heart

As a nursing student in 2004, I observed the most BEAUTIFUL surgery being performed in the operating room of the hospital where my clinicals were taking place. I know you may be questioning the use of the word ‘beautiful’,  but that is exactly what it was!

The patient was having a CABGx4 with MVR, or coronary artery bypass grafting (or coronary revascularization) with mitral valve replacement. More simply even, it was open-heart surgery. The patient had blockages in several coronary arteries and a sclerotic mitral valve. The surgeon used other vessels from the patient’s body to bypass the blockage in each of the affected coronary arteries. He replaced the damaged heart valve with one from a pig. 

I loved the atmosphere surrounding this miracle procedure: the monitors that revealed vital signs and heart rhythm. The sound of the IV pumps delivering the critical drugs and anesthesia needed for the procedure. The heart/lung bypass machine does the work of the human heart and lungs during the surgery. The enormous supply of tools is displayed on a table for the surgeon, nurses, and techs to use.

I shed many tears observing that surgery—and thus a love for cardiac nursing began that very day.

After many years of being a cardiac nurse and caring for thousands of patients, I have concluded that our spiritual hearts can develop disease just like a physical heart.

Take a look below at some of the spiritual heart disease diagnoses:

1.      Sclerotic or Hardened Heart- This describes those who have allowed their hearts to stray from God and become hardened to him.  After the Babylonians had exiled and scattered some of God’s people from Jerusalem, those that were left behind became distracted by vile images and idols. Ezekiel, a prophet who lived among the exiles, proclaimed that the Lord would bring them back together and restore Israel. Ezekiel 11:19(NIV) says “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” God desires to give us a heart transplant when we return to him; one that is unified and soft toward His will.

2.      Heart Blockages- Plaque can accumulate in your coronary arteries and cause blockages that may lead to a life-threatening heart attack!  Is there sin clogging up those arteries that bring life-sustaining blood flow to your spiritual heart? When sin accumulates, confession and forgiveness are needed. I John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

3.      High Blood Pressure- Life and its circumstances may threaten to bring you to a dangerous boiling point.  Cry out to the Lord and ask him to lead you to that safe place that is above the acuity of your situation.  David’s spiritual heart cries out to the Lord in Psalm 61:2 saying,  “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” 

4.      Heart Arrhythmia/Dysrhythmia- When everything seems to be out of balance in life, it may cause spiritual palpitations. Your spiritual heart may be more in rhythm with the world, and not with the Lord. Consider the distance between your spiritual heart and God. James 4:8a tells us to “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  The rhythm of your heart will stabilize as the choice is made to close the distance between you and the Lord.

5.      Broken Heart Syndrome- Believe it or not, this is also a medical diagnosis. It may seem that our spiritual hearts are broken beyond repair; therefore healing is incomplete. But Psalms reminds us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”(Psalm 34:18) as well as “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”(Psalm 147:3)

6.      Heart Failure-  Have you ever felt that you could not bear to take another step because life has taken your breath away? Are you having episodes where it feels as if your heart is giving out? This psalmist gives spiritual heart failure the best eternal prognosis as he writes,  “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”(Psalm 73:26)

So what’s the Rx for spiritual heart disease?  First, let’s have a heart to heart conversation. Is it time for a spiritual check-up? Maybe an EKG and some blood work?

💗There is no need to check and see if He is ‘in network.’

💗Our copays and deductibles have been waived.

💗His prognosis/treatment plan have a 100% success and survival rate.

Ladies, I'm happy to say that the doctor is ALWAYS IN!

Our God is ready to diagnose and treat all matters of the heart.

Choose to come under His care today; He is the best cardiologist to treat his creation!