Do you know that when you live a pretentious life consistently it will harden your heart?
Yes, it is true!
When you stifle your feelings or hide your true emotions tightly locked away in your heart, your heart will gradually lose its softness and become as hard as a rock.
I have seen persons who lost loved ones who refused to take time off to grieve. They continued with their ministry or work as if nothing happens. Is this a sign of strength?
Ten years ago when I heard the sad news that my mother had suddenly passed away it was as if my world stopped. I could not function.
I immediately left everything and returned home to grieve with the family and planned her funeral. It was not until after she was buried that I returned to normalcy.
Therefore, it is difficult for me to understand a person who doesnt take time to grieve.
Do you know that God gave His people time to grieve when their loved ones died?
Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days. (Numbers 20:29)
So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended. (Deuteronomy 34:5-8)
God knows the importance of grieving. It is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you have a heart of flesh filled with love and compassion.
It is unhealthy to hide your true feelings behind work, false smiles or pretending to be fine or withdrawing from friends and family.
It is healthy to expose your true feelings to God and allow Him to comfort and heal you.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. (Psalms 34:18)
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalms 51:16-17)
Lord, Remove the stony hearts from our bodies and give us hearts of flesh. AMEN!
Becoming the Oil and Wine 
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