I believe the heart must be disciplined, just as we discipline the mind and body. Yet they all must work together in order to maximize success in any area. If the heart has been hurt or broken it stresses the mind, and when the mind is stressed it affects the health of the body. It is difficult for a person who is hungry, hurt, abused, or overwhelmed to focus, so the heart affects our ability to function mentally and physically. A person with a broken bone may have a splint or cast to help the healing, those who have wounded hearts have crutches which help them endure the pain. I believe that most of the problems that we have in the world can be traced back to wounded hearts. When I talk to young men in prison or who are gang involved, invariably there is an anger that is expressed regarding their fathers. Whether I am talking to a racist, a dogmatic religious person who is very judgmental, a man who hates women, or a woman who hates men, underneath their hatred and hardened exterior, I hear the voice of a broken heart.
A songwriter once asked the question, “How can you mend a broken heart?’ I used to think that if I knew enough about a problem, I could solve it, but I realized that a doctor can drink or smoke too much, and a psychiatric can have a mental breakdown. So, the answer in not found in my mind. As a runner, I know that running and cardiovascular exercise can release endorphins in the brain which can help with depression, reduce blood pressure, and help with a myriad of other health problems. Yet, my knowledge and my body often fail to cooperate, so the answer is not found in my body. I discovered that for my body and mind to work together, I must oversee both. But who am I if I am not my heart, my body, or my mind? I am a spirit with a body, mind, and heart. In order to successfully manage my life, I must discipline my spirit and through my disciplined spirit I can discipline my mind, heart, and body.
Two ways I discipline my spirit is through fasting and prayer. I find that it not only helps me, but it helps others also. On Sunday, March 3rd I issued a global warning from the pulpit, and my brother and I issued it again on Wednesday, March 6th and Wednesday, March 13th in a video which is on my blog, http://disciplinedforsuccess.com/blog/global-warning. I ask any one who reads this post to take some time out to pray and fast for change in ourselves and our world. This is my sixth day of a forty day fast, drinking only water, and I am believing God for change in me and in our world. Discipline is not easy, but it is necessary if we are going to change our course in this world.