Have you ever tried to pour water into a glass that is already full? If so, then you know what happens: the water spills over the sides. The glass cannot contain the new water because it is full! So it is with our hearts. God desires to pour His love, peace, joy, hope, faith, and strength into our hearts, but they are full. They are full to the brim with past and present worries, fears, disappointments, hurts, and frustrations that our circumstances seem to create. The negative emotions that fill our hearts leave no room for the loving Lord to give us what we need. Did you ever notice how King David poured out his heart in the Psalms? Many times, his heart would be filled with defeat, hurt, anger, and fear. Yet, because of his belief and relationship with the loving God, he felt he could express what was in his heart (good, bad, and ugly) without being afraid of what God would think of him. He was secure in God’s love, and was able to pour out his true, emotional, words and feelings. So how do we pour out the negative in our hearts’ to make room for the positive? Just like David, we begin by talking to Jesus about what we are really feeling. The important factor is that we must feel what we are pouring out to truly let go and release our negative emotions. As this way of praying becomes more familiar, we will gradually find Him replacing the negative in our hearts with His healing ointment; making room for His love, peace, joy, hope, faith, and strength to be experienced in our daily lives. Remember, God is the place of safety to run to when our hearts feel overwhelmed.

“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us [a fortress and a high tower]. Selah” (Psalm 62:8).