From Listening to Hearing

By Rachel Cordaro

It was one of the first episodes of the "A Right Heart Podcast" from the book of Malachi. My friend Kate sent it to me enthusiastically, and I listened with my ears. Then God intervened in my life, and I listened…really heard with my heart, not just my ears, among the mundane distractions of life.

Which episode it was, I can't recall. The room was quiet, just me, and my unsettled mind. I was honed in. The words became potent and sure. My tears turned from self-focused to amazement of who God is. While listening to the names of God, It felt as if he rushed in the room and was bedside. My cry became composure and my sobbing became stillness. He brought with him....peace. My hyperventilating chest was the raging sea. He said, "peace...be still," and I was quieted instantly.

Each name of God entered my heart and mind like an ocean tide bringing a surge of courage then back out again, taking with it my anxious thoughts. Focusing on God and his names and attributes, I have been able to dismantle the fears that have plagued me my whole life. What are my concerns? They are like a shapeshifter...mutations of this and that, an elixir from hell that poisons the mind, malnourishes the spirit and depletes joy. But guess what? There is a cure. There is an antidote. There is a light for that. There is a sword for that. There is armor for that! It is God's word where he speaks of his constant protection. It is in his holy presence that you can dismantle the enemies strongholds and erect a new sparkling fortress... one that keeps you on a high perch in the safety of King Jesus. There is a simple, impactful, two-letter word I hear again and again in my listening to the podcasts...... " is". There has never been a more comforting present tense verb. The word "is" becomes powerful when tied to God's name. He "is" currently ruling over his own with absolute sovereignty and order. He nourishes the weary mind. He cleans the heart with each attribute and his promises resound with comfort. A right heart podcasts have helped to break the bad habits of fearful thoughts. For too long, I have struggled with a fear of the unknown. But God does not want that for me and I am tired of spending precious time wasting time. The attributes of God wash over my mind and I believe that when you do that, you are positioning the heart for worship and the mind is making new thought patterns and healing itself from the old ways. Those two actions alone make me think of the verse in James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." In scripture, Jesus resisted Satan's temptation by declaring the scriptures back to him. There is power in saying who God is to your giants and problems. When Jesus spoke and stood up against the accuser, the Bible says that, "The devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels, came and ministered unto him." Matthew 4:11.

When I look at my life and see God's love, precise timing, and grace, one word comes to mind that declares who he is to me: Constant.

God is and always will be Constant. Steadfast and present in spite of all my decisions. Yes, both the obedient ones and even the decisions that feed my flesh. God's place is secure in being a constant victor and recipient of glory to my answered prayers, testimonies, and the supplier to everything I have. He is Constant. His love is Constant. His patience is Constant. His grace is Constant.   His protection is Constant. His thoughts for me are Constant.    His forgiveness of my sins is Constant. He is the first and last. He is a dayspring, and his arms are open for all who will come to him to experience his loving and pleasant flow of living waters! "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13