There are times in our lives when we know that something in us is just not right. We have this yucky feeling stirring on the inside, yet we can’t quite put our finger on the trigger for what’s really going on. And that my sister, is when it might be time for you to do what I call… a heart-check.

A heart-check is when you personally take the time to go before God and examine yourself to see whether you’re really in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Because the worse thing in the world you want to do is stand before God on the Day of Judgment and hear the dreadful words, “I never knew you, depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23) Whoa! Don’t want to hear those words right? Right! So before we go any further, I want you to know what iniquity really means. It is “hidden sin.” Got it? Good. Now let’s go a little deeper. Here’s how you do a heart check to get that yucky inner feeling to go away.

The first step is getting to the root of it. Try to pinpoint what’s causing the yuckiness. For instance…

-          Bad attitude (why?) What are you thinking and pondering about all day or week that has you with a bad attitude? Did someone do or say something to you that made you mad, jealous, bitter, envious, etc?  Could it be that your menstrual cycle is about to come that has you out of sorts? (Suggestion: Know that the attitude is a mindset.  Some helpful tips are to pray, renew your mind with the Word of God, think on good things, and if God wants you to confront someone about an issue, do it with all humility. As far as the menstrual cycle…recognize that it is what it is, and ask God to help you respond properly to those around you while practicing self-control. Also, do as James 1:19-20 says, “…Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” And get some rest, because this too shall pass. 🙂

-          Having sex unmarried (why?) Sex is made for marriage between a man and a woman.  1 Corinthians 7:2 says, “But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband”. So if you are feeling yucky in your spirit while you are having sex with someone whom you have not made a marital commitment to, then that would explain your yuckiness, because it goes against the Word of God. This is a heart problem (Suggestion: Abstain from sex. Wait on your God-fearing husband, and then you won’t have the guilt and sin of fornication riding you and having you feel bad on the inside. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee fornication.” Listen, I know this is not easy when you’re single (trust me, I’ve been there). But know that God has great plans for those who wait patiently for Him. I know this from experience. So don’t miss out on your blessing for temporary sinful satisfaction! Godliness with contentment is great gain. – 1Timothy 6:6).    

-          Impure thoughts (why?) Are you married or in a committed relationship, yet you find yourself thinking about someone else of the past or present throughout the day? Do you want to fight someone or tell someone off? This stems from the heart and mind. And these things can definitely cause yuckiness in your spirit, because it would be telltale signs of the sin of an adulterous heart and a vindictive one. Remember, Jesus says in Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” And Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” So your job is to love them and let go and let God. (Suggestion: Guard your heart with all diligence and cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity, every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Proverbs 4:23 and 2 Corinthians 10:5. Get rid of those bad thoughts quickly for your own spiritual health. Remember, impure thoughts, hatred, and unforgiveness are sin).

-          Homosexual Thoughts (Why?) Go back to the root of it. Did you tamper with the same sex when you were young or as an adult? Are you entertaining certain television shows, movies, songs, or past experiences or thoughts that embrace homosexuality, which now has sparked a peek of interest inside of you? If so, these feelings are not of God and need immediate attention. Again, this is a heart problem. (Suggestion: Surrender these feelings and thoughts to God and be honest with Him about how you feel. Keep in mind that He already knows. He just wants you to be open enough to talk to Him about it, so He can deliver you. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong, will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality…will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.” NLT - This is God’s Word. Is holding onto these thoughts worth missing heaven over? Fight to let it go, before it actually turns into an action and you forfeit heaven.)  

Again, these are just some examples of why you could be feeling yucky inside. Some other examples could be: harboring unforgiveness, holding on someone, financial strain, broken relationships or friendships, conflicts, lack of contentment in the state you’re in, imbalance in your schedule, loss of a job or lack of a promotion, something didn’t go the way you expected, etc. The list could really go on and on…but the point is that you zero in on the root cause of your yuckiness, and allow God to help you deal with it through Scripture, prayer, and even accountability through a mentor or someone whom you trust that will help you get through it.

Personally, I do heart-checks on a regular-basis. And I continue to do it, because it not only frees me up on the inside, but it keeps me in “right” relationship with God while I live and do what the Lord has called me to do. This is real-talk.  If these issues in our hearts continue to go unchecked, then it could very well cause us great hindrance in effectively helping others or entering the gates of heaven when we stand before God someday. So make the choice to deal with the yuckiness on the inside. Do a heart check, and when you do, I believe you’ll experience true FREEDOM!

For more information or personal advice on these issues, you can email me at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. Please feel free to leave a comment as well. Thanks and God bless you as you let God change you from the inside out!

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