Holy Spirit: When the Heart Shifts

Scripture: 

Ezekiel 36:26–27

Devotional:

God never asked you to fix your heart—He promised to give you a new one. That’s what regeneration is all about. A heart of stone is a heart that’s been closed off—maybe from pain, disappointment, fear, or control. But when the Spirit gives you a new heart, things begin to shift. You feel more sensitive to what’s right. You care about things you used to ignore.

That change might be slow and subtle, or it might hit you all at once. Either way, it’s real. And it’s ongoing. Sometimes God shows you places that still feel cold or closed off—and it’s not to shame you. It’s an invitation to let Him in deeper.

You don’t have to pretend to feel close to God or act like everything’s fine. What matters is that your heart is open and willing to change. The Spirit will do the work—you just have to stop guarding the parts you’ve kept hidden.

Questions:

1. What part of my heart have I been protecting—maybe out of fear or past pain?

2. What do I feel when I hear, “God wants to soften your heart”? Resistance? Relief? Something else?

3. If my heart could talk, what would it say it needs right now?

Action Step:

Text a trusted friend or mentor and ask: “What’s something you think God might be trying to grow in me right now?” Receive it with openness. Let it speak to your heart, not your ego.

Prayer:

God, I don’t want to stay stuck or closed off. If there’s a part of my heart that needs to soften, show me. I’m not trying to perform—I just want to be real with You. Help me to be open.