Amy Hawk, a Christian I follow on YouTube, recently spoke excitedly about Psalm 119:32, which mentions enlarging the heart. Amy said it never occurred to her to pray for an enlarged heart. She challenged her viewers to pray that God would enlarge our hearts and increase our capacity to love others.
I shall l run the way of your commandments for you will enlarge my heart!
Psalm 119:32 (NASB)
I usually read the NIV translation of the Bible. The NIV version says, “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.” If we let God’s commandments lead us, we will grow in wisdom and compassion.
An enlarged heart makes me think of the Dr. Seuss story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Mr. Grinch had a mean, stingy heart. It was two sizes too small! By the end of the story, the Grinch’s heart had grown three sizes.
Like the Grinch, I need a bigger heart. Not because I’m mean. Not because I’m stingy with money or time. I need a bigger heart because I’m stingy with grace. I need a larger, softer heart to love my enemies even when they behave badly.
A pastor on Facebook wrote that he is disgusted by the way Donald Trump dehumanizes immigrants and his enemies. I agree. It’s horribly racist to say that immigrants poison the blood of your country. It’s horribly degrading to describe your enemies as vermin.
If I am honest with myself, I must admit that I am also guilty of dehumanizing my enemies. I dehumanize them every time I call them a piece of garbage (or worse).
Lord, I come to you, the author and perfecter of my faith. Forgive me for being a hypocrite. Your ways are perfect. You have shown me the right path by commanding me to love my enemies. Lord, I pray that you will increase my capacity to love those who are hard to love. Create in me a clean heart that has no room for dehumanizing thoughts. Amen.
❤️💙💜💖
Innermost Being 