In a world filled with pain, division, and relentless noise, it’s easy for our hearts to become calloused. But Jesus warned us this would happen. In John 15:20, He said, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” The storms of this world are real—but they are not meant to harden us. They are meant to drive us deeper into Christ.

We must resist the temptation to let the negativity, anger, or injustice around us harden our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

When we see brokenness in others, our response shouldn’t be judgment—it should be compassion. Many people walk in darkness simply because they’ve never truly encountered the love, grace, and mercy of our Heavenly Father. That should stir us to pray for them, not pull away from them.

Our hearts should be tender, not bitter. Loving, not hardened. We’ve been blessed to experience the love of Christ—so let’s reflect that love outward. Let us “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36) and love them where they are, trusting God to do the heart-changing.

I’m praying today for those who haven’t yet experienced the fullness of God’s love—and that our own hearts stay soft enough to lead them there.

-Rev. Carlos Figueroa