The Biblical Heart

By Terry Busler

An unbelievably simple tool to help shift your emotions, mind, spirit, and healing to a biblical perspective.

While the author frames personal experiences with his own physical and mental health, the reader is ingrained in scripture, helping to rewire the thought patterns we use to handle opposition in life. God's living word is able to conquer any affliction through correlation to your emotions, mind, spirit, and healing. A refreshing and unique take on real-life struggles, The Biblical Heart shows you in simple, broken down steps, how to reframe your mindset and start moving forward. This book is an excellent tool as a glossary or as a full read for anyone facing difficult circumstances whether internal or external.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Life Management Services, INC.
• Release date: Jun 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463060179

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

I feel God inspired me to write, The Biblical Heart: Emotions, Mind, Spirit, and Healing, from a biblical perspective that I might help others who have experienced, are experiencing, or will experience the same feelings I have had in my life. As you work your way through this book, you will have the opportunity to better understand how the Bible frames the reality of your emotions, your mind, your spirit, and how to heal. While the definitions are pulled from Websters Dictionary 1828, I have edited them to include the understanding God has inspired upon me through His word.

My journey to salvation may be briefly described as follows. Growing up, my mom and dad brought me to church. I did not get saved there but it helped. My family had a friend in Virginia who did not believe in the Bible because he felt there were too many contradictions. (After much of my own study, I found this not to be true.) In 1972, because of what this atheist said, I was motivated to start studying the Bible, so if a similar situation came up, I could provide an informed answer.

I had an emotional breakdown when three calamities occurred. In 1978, I was flooded out by Hurricane Eloise, the Three Mile Island disaster³ occurred, and my marriage was failing. I was like a vegetable. I expressed my hope that things could get better to the woman who referred me, but she assured me that the counselor she referred me to could help. I felt overwhelmed by evil and the counselor said to me, God would be insulted if you thought evil was greater than Him.

I believe there is a God who is all-powerful, and He is a real person (one that is invisible as the Bible describes Him) but was manifested in the flesh as Jesus Christ. In 2005, my doctor helped in my attempt to come off medication, but I had another emotional breakdown. I realized then, that I could not go off my medication. A third time they tried to commit me because I was having similar symptoms, lack of doing things decently/in proper order, anger, and although the third symptom is typically wrath or rage, I never reached the last symptom.

The next crisis was my diabetes. It can have similar symptoms – unclean, irritability (anger) and rage. Both being hypoglycemic and hyperglycemia can have the same symptoms. During my journey to salvation, God impressed three scriptures on my heart. First, Mark 12:30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Second was Psalm 118:8, It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. And lastly, Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. I have placed a monument in my front yard with these scriptures on it to show my love for God, with the hope that the hearts of those who read it will be touched by God as His word does not return void.

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8)

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (Romans 5:3)

And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. (2 Corinthians 2:3-4)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

³ In 1979, a malfunction at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant resulted in venting of radioactive fumes into the surrounding Harrisburg, PA area. Due to miscommunications both within and outside of official government channels, mass uncertainty surrounding a potential evacuation of the 30,000 surrounding residents left widespread distrust and confusion, much of which lasts even today.

EMOTIONS

Emotions: In a philosophical sense, an internal motion or agitation of the mind which passes away without desire; when desire follows, the motion or agitation is called a passion.¹

Passion: The sensible effect, the feeling to which the mind is subjected, when an object of importance suddenly and imperiously demands its attention. The state of absolute passiveness, in consequence of any sudden percussion of mind, is of short duration. The strong impression, or vivid sensation, immediately produces a reaction correspondent to its nature, either to appropriate and enjoy, or avoid and repel the exciting cause. This reaction is very properly distinguished by the term emotion.

Feelings: Instantaneous reactions to an external stimuli. Lasting satisfaction and joy can only come from the Lord.

Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. (Genesis 26:35)

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13)

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips… (Psalm 21:2)

What we bring into our minds is critical. It is also important to recognize what we are feeling and how those feelings affect our thoughts and words. An emotion or feeling is only part of the picture, but a very important part. Any action thereafter should be based on the feeling, our thoughts, and much prayer.

In the book entitled, More Leadership Lessons of Jesus: A Timeless Model for Today’s Leaders, there is a chapter entitled, Guard your Heart. In this chapter, authors Ray Pritchard and Bob Briner build a good case that we should guard what we bring into our minds; An effective leader guards his own heart because everything important comes out of it. Both Mark 7:15 and Proverbs 4:23 state above all else to guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Psalm 101:3 says, I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Wicked things in today’s world deeply effect our hearts and our actions. Pornography, movies about witchcraft, astrology, and most of today’s television shows are not what we should place in our hearts. Many times I would come away from watching TV feeling angry or down due to the content. I recommend you not go to R- or X-rated movies. Even some PG-13 movies are questionable. Listen to Christian reviews before going to the movies. Read primarily Christian books and listen to Christian radio. Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. If we see or hear something, it is inevitable we will think about it at some point and time and with those thoughts will also come feelings.

Here are some other Scriptures about the heart pertaining to emotions and my findings through them:

And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; (John 13:2)

If we open up our heart to evil influences, God may lift His hand of protection and allow the devil to influence and affect our hearts. If we don’t know the Lord as our Savior and have a personal relationship with Him, God may even allow the devil to possess our hearts.

For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face. (Job 23:16-17)

God can bring dark feelings and emotions into our lives to bring us closer to Him.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)

Be not deceived. God knows our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him.

Affliction

Affliction: The state of being afflicted; a state of pain, distress, or grief. The cause of continued pain of body or mind, as sickness, losses, calamity, adversity, persecution.

Anguish: Extreme pain, either of body or mind. As pain of the mind, it signifies any keen distress from sorrow, remorse, despair and kindred passions.

Distress: Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; as, to suffer great distress from the gout or loss of near friends. To afflict greatly; to harass; to oppress with calamity; to make miserable.

Misery: Great unhappiness; extreme pain of body or mind; a man suffers misery from the gout, or from great afflictions, distress, calamity and other evils.

Miserable: Very unhappy from grief, pain, calamity, poverty, apprehension of evil, or other causes. What hopes delude thee, miserable man?

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)

The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. (Psalm 34:22)

The Lord is nigh (near) to them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (humble) spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

One of the groups of people that experience affliction, who I hope someday to minister to, is our godly politicians/government officials. I witnessed what I call a grilling by Congress of Donald Rumsfeld over the improper/scandalous way Iraqi prisoners were interrogated in prison in Iraq. The interrogation of Rumsfeld by Congress had to cause him pain of mind, affliction, distress, misery. My heart went out to him. Another example was the interrogation of Brett Kavanaugh who was attempting to become a Supreme Court Justice. Both handled the questions courageously and humbly. All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23); so no man has a completely clean past. Only by the death of Christ are we clean and forgiven. But those who oppose Christ would like to bring down godly politicians by exposing the sins of their past, causing them pain of mind through extreme embarrassment or emotional pain, even though God has forgiven those who have repented.

Other scriptures on affliction:

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. (Psalm 119:153)

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. (1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Anger

Anger: A state of emotional excitement induced by intense displeasure as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, put-down, frustration or injustice to yourself or those important to you.

Frustration: The act of feeling disappointment or defeat; as the frustration of one’s attempt or design.

Wrath: Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation.

Rage: To be furious with anger; to be exasperated to fury; to be violently agitated with passion.

An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs 29:22)

And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. (Esther 3:5)

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. (Ezra 4:5)

I don’t believe there is any family that doesn’t deal with issues of anger, so if you experience this, call yourselves ‘normal.’ I would like to relate a story to you in which I became very frustrated. When I look back on it, it certainly wasn’t as serious as I felt.

Each year my family goes to Canada. My wife primarily packs the suitcases, gets the food ready, and generally has 80 percent of what needs to go ready for me. I, on the other hand, pack everything into the car; the canoe, the motor, the fishing gear and everything my wife has prepared. Sounds pretty equitable in the distribution of responsibilities. Here is where the problem lies. My wife packs for an expedition while I pack for an excursion. As I slowly progress through packing the car, I see I’m beginning to run out of room and it also looks like my wife is just about out of things to bring me. I’m about ready to close the trunk, as it is full when out come fifteen more items. I consider myself to be a man of average intelligence and I think to myself, ‘I can handle this’. I begin to repack as the car sinks to its tire rims, with twelve more items to go. That’s when the frustration begins. You can only pack so much into the car and on top of the car. By the time my wife is ready to go, I am so frustrated that I express my frustration in very gentle terms. She says let me repack things for you.

My dad could always get things in his car. He was a great packer. Maybe he could teach you a thing or two about how to pack. My boys and friends have ridden in the vehicle where they were so cramped they had to stretch their legs over the front seat for relief. My wife has stuff crammed at her feet but doesn’t complain. To alleviate the car from dragging on the ground I had heavy duty springs installed. Trips to Canada, to say the least, are an adventure. I believe I’ve taken the kitchen sink to Canada and back but it’s hard to tell with all the paraphernalia. My