“One, two (puff), three (gasp), four (groan).  Breathe and relax, and I’m done with the weights.”  The iron disks drop down from the pulleys and hit the stack with a clang.  Sweat that had been gathering on my forehead begins to trickle down my nose.  I’m tired, but I’m not ready to leave the gym just yet.

Shivering as I dive into the pool, I swim laps from one end to the other.  I just bought a pair of swim goggles.  I’ve been doing only six laps a day, but I think I’ll do a couple more now that I have the goggles.  But I’m still not finished.

Hoisting myself out of the pool I do what I like best, sit in the Jacuzzi.  No muss, no fuss, just soothing hot jets of water.  I like to sit where the jets hit the small of my back.  It’s relaxing and helps take away some of the aches and pains.

And so I’ve spent an hour of exertion, sweat, strain, and pain.  Why do I go to all the trouble?  The answer is because it’s good for me.  It keeps my muscles toned, my bones strong, and my mind stimulated, but it especially helps keep my heart healthy.  My goal is not to bulk up with muscles or swim marathons, but I need exercise--my heart needs exercise. At this time of life a healthy heart is what it’s all about.  But then those in the know tell us that a healthy heart requires not only exercise but a proper diet, periods of rest, and a good mental attitude.

As a pastor I’ve met many people who have “broken hearts.”  Some have been betrayed by a former friend, others have lost a loved one.  There are those who are weighed down with guilt, and still more who are approaching burnout.  I think it’s safe to say that at one time or another most of us have experienced these kinds of heart problems.  But, thank God, we have access to a special heart specialist.  That heart specialist is Jesus, the Great Physician.

This doctor knows about our heartaches.  In fact He’s near to everyone who has a broken heart (Psalm 34:18).  I especially like His invitation, “My son, my daughter, give Me your heart (Proverbs 23:26).  And so we can come to Him whenever we’re hurting and ask Him to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us (Psalm 51:10).

When Jesus has healed your broken heart, you’ll find that the following regime will help to keep your mended heart healthy:

Exercise.  A good exercise for the heart is to stretch by reaching up and out.  We reach up when we search for God.  Thinking about Him, talking to Him, and spending time enjoying His creation are ways to stretch higher and higher.  And reaching out is to help and care for others.

Diet.  A healthy heart needs a wholesome diet.  What the mind feeds on also nourishes the heart.  Reading the Bible and other inspirational material is an excellent prescription for making hearts strong and healthy.

A good attitude.  Being grouchy, peevish, and complaining is bad for the heart.  But cheerfulness, kindness, and a spirit of thankfulness makes the heart glow with good health.  In fact, a merry (happy) heart does good like a medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

Rest.  Vigorous exercise should be balanced with periods of rest to allow the heart to repair and strengthen.  Jesus recommends observing one day of rest in every seven (Exodus 20:8-11) in which we set aside everyday work and stress and join Him in worship and praise.

When the Great Physician works on hearts, He doesn’t need pace makers, stents, or artificial valves.  He takes our stony, hard hearts and gives us new hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).  New hearts for old—not a bad trade.