Hardened Hearts

"Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened." Mark 6:51-52 When I read this it made me a little disappointed in the disciples. How could their faith be that small when they had just previously saw Jesus perform a huge miracle? But then I also thought..."their hearts were hardened?" It wasn't just a lack of faith issue, but an issue of the heart. Their inability to understand what Jesus had done with the loaves and the fish resulted in the hardening of their hearts. And I walk through life doing the same thing. I've worried about money, though I've experience the Lord's provision in small and big ways. I've stressed about not knowing what the future holds, even though I follow the One Who holds my future. I've felt lonely even though God is with me always. I've not been able to let go of past hurts, even though God has been waiting to embrace me with His healing arms. I've feared stepping out in faith, even though I've experienced the peace and joy there is in following God. I've failed to trust people even though I know God's love for me never fails. I've had a hardened heart. I need first recognize the Lord's hand on my life, then praise Him for it. So that when the next thing comes, worship is just automatic. I don't want my hardened heart to ever get in the way of me faithfully following, passionately loving, fervently trusting, or joyfully rejoicing in the God Who walked on water, fed 5 thousand, healed the blind man, and parted the Red Sea.