Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

~Proverbs 4:23 ESV

While second assisting in an operation, the surgeon continuously yelled at everyone in the surgical suite, creating a tense environment. When his insults and offensive behavior shifted my way, he plucked the instrument from my hand berating my work. As a student, I had every right to leave the operating room but refused to let him deprive me of the experience, so I stood back and remained focused on the procedure.

My endurance paid off, because an hour later the surgeon needed an extra hand—literally, to cup the heart while they worked around it, and I was the only person without a task. All the abusive behavior in the world couldn’t extinguish the indescribable exhilaration of protecting another person’s wellspring of life, as its rhythmic beat pulsed in my hand. I didn’t question the patient’s faith or morality before putting my hand in harms way, but centered my attention on protecting the life before me.

That moment made me wonder if our Savior experiences something similar. His broad shoulders endure a great deal of rejection and wrongdoings. But instead of abandoning us, God protects the eternity He’s placed in our hearts, waiting for us to surrender and run into His arms. 

 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

~2 Peter 3:9 ESV

Our Heavenly Father’s attitude towards us can only be achieved through agape love, something we humans cannot fathom here on earth. My first inclination isn’t to love when I’m mistreated or taken advantage of, and this is why I need to consistently remind myself of Jesus’ words as he hung on the cross; “Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they do.” I am thankful God’s ways and thoughts are different from mine.

Our Heavenly Father’s attitude towards us can only be achieved through agape love, something we humans cannot fathom here on earth. #VineWords #IreneWintermyer #HeavenlyHeartwarming Click To Tweet

  For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

~Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

Regardless of our circumstances, God’s protective hand is always hard at work, even if we can’t see or feel it.  

Irene Wintermyer, contributing author to Whispers of Grace

Regardless of our circumstances, God’s protective hand is always hard at work, even if we can’t see or feel it. Trust Him, and lean into your Savior’s perfection, love, and provision. He’s got your heart in the palm of His almighty hand.

In the midst of hardship, do you lean on God, or allow emotions to control and rule over your life? 

Father God, Thank You for Your unconditional love; that Your focus does not linger on my failures, but on my potential. Help me to remember that the things of this world have no hold over me, and through Your strength I can achieve anything. Just as You forgive and remember my sins no more, help me to do the same for others. 

Amen

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: Heavenly Heartwarming: Irene Wintermyer: All Rights Reserved

Meet Our Contributor

IRENE WINTERMYER

Irene Wintermyer has a diverse background in medicine and business leadership which gives her a foundation of experience to broach many matters of life. With a zeal for writing, her aspirations are to encourage and ignite others to climb that mountain, reach the summit, and bathe in the blessings of God.

After retiring from her medical career, Irene joined the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild where she learned the art of writing and editing. Irene is also an active online member of Word Weavers. In addition to devotional writing, she is currently working on a Christian fiction novel entitled, Prophecy of The Key.

She is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More.

Irene’s devotional, Just Joy, won the EABooks Publishing contest at the 2020 Florida’s Writer’s Conference, and will be published in the book, Whispers of Grace, in 2021. 

She currently lives in the sunshine state of Florida with her daughter, son-in-law, and father. Irene’s daughter will attest that her mother is addicted to education. After completing her medical degree, she worked full time while earning an MBA. After retiring as a hospital administrator, Irene attended a Christian college obtaining a degree in Theology. With her passion for writing and a skill for editing, her next goal is to pursue certification as an editor.

CONNECT WITH IRENE WINTERMYER AT

The Faithful Pen Irene Wintermyer

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