We typically think of a callous as a hardening or thickening of the skin on the hand of someone. Most ofen on a person who works with their hands. They can also be found on the hands of someone who does the same athletic routine consistently like a golfer or a fisherman.
The Bible doesn’t speak of calloused hands but a calloused heart. The word callous can also mean feeling no emotion or feeling no care or sympathy for others. We often use the phrase a hardened heart.
Ever been there?
Because of the actions of someone else who hurt us, our heart became a littler harder. Then it hardened a little more and a little more. Before we realize it, we are numb emotionally and have lost our compassion for people. Sure we go through the motions of life and everyoe thinks nothing is wrong. Yet we know our hearts are calloused and we choose to not let anyone close again.
“Better a shattered heart than a hardened heart.” – Woodrow Kroll
God does His greatest work in a calloused heart who turns to Him.
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
A hard heart binds us. It leads us to places of no joy and no hope. If we will let Him, He will remove the heart of stone.
And only He will can restore our joy!
