Have you ever had someone tell you what a Christian should be, and you didn’t feel like it was you? I think a big one here is “you should want God above all else”. We know that God should be the focus of our hearts, but so often he’s not. I can’t count how many times I’ve felt disheartened because my heart and mind weren’t where I wanted them to be. I didn’t want God above all else. I wanted to want him, but I didn’t want him. Bible passages like these only made me feel worse.

Matthew 22:37, NIV – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ”

2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV – “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

I just didn’t feel like that was me. How was I supposed to make myself desire something I didn’t desire? If you’ve felt that way too, I want to assure you that it’s okay to ask for help. A prayer I prayed many times is “God, I don’t want what you want, but I want to want what you want. Please help me to desire your will for my life, align my heart with yours.”

Now I am in a place where my heart is closely aligned with God’s. It didn’t happen overnight, and there were times I had to push myself to do what I didn’t yet want to, but it was worth it. God can change our hearts. If you feel your heart isn’t where you want it to be, or isn’t where you want to want it to be, come to God. Paul says it perfectly in Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

It’s not always a fast process, but it is a guaranteed one. Come to God, he wants to hear your prayers. He wants to help you take steps closer to him. If you don’t desire him the way you want to, he can help.

Dear Father, I pray for those who know you, but their hearts are not yet aligned with yours. Please strengthen them and guide them closer to you. Help them to be encouraged, not discouraged, and to grow stronger against the enemy’s schemes every day. Please work in their hearts, the way we know only you can. In Jesus name, Amen.