The term, “bless your heart” is largely used in the southern states of the USA.  Because that is where I live, I have heard this expression all my life.  It would not be unusual to hear this several times a day.  We southerners know that when “bless your heart” is said during conversation, the meaning depends on the context. Yes, it can be a backhanded comment about foolish behavior, or even used as an insult, but it’s often a genuine expression of sympathy.

As with most sayings, how and when it is used will determine its true meaning.  If someone is sad or depressed, it might be very appropriate to say “bless your heart” meaning that you wish blessings upon a suffering person.  If a person does something that is completely unwise to do, someone might say “bless your heart” in a way that ridicules or insults the other person.  So, we see that this expression can mean a whole lot of things, depending on who’s saying it to whom, and the attitude in which it is said.  Even the tone of voice can indicate the intent of the words. 

It is nice when someone reaches out with words to try to help others.  When a believer speaks helpful words to someone, they usually recognize that true blessings come from the Lord and will minister to the heart.  It is the Lord Jesus, Himself, who came to heal the brokenhearted as we read in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”  If we truly want to “bless” someone’s heart, we will seek to minister Christ to them.  There are so many situations that can break our hearts…loss of a loved one, rejection by someone we love, persecution, hatred, financial hardships, the list goes on and one.  However, there is ONE who can truly minister to the needs of our hearts, no matter what it is that causes the pain. 

The Lord instructs us in 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting ALL YOUR CARE UPON HIM; for he careth for you.”  For the believer, there is not a burden, not a concern, not a heartache that we cannot give to the Lord.  He CARES for us.  I’m reminded of a time when the Lord’s disciples found themselves upon the sea in a ship during a fierce storm…while the Lord was asleep!  We read in Mark 4:37-38, “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?”  Notice that they did not question the Lord’s strength or ability…they questioned His love!  How sad.  In an everchanging world, the love of God for us never changes!  He is always there for us to minister to our every need.  We learn in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”  The Lord loves us, and His strength and supply are always there for us. 

The key to having a blessed heart, or a heart that is blessed from the Lord is found in Psalm 37:4, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”  When we, as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, find our delight in our blessed Savior, when we long to follow and please Him, when we find our joy in praising and worshipping Him…the Lord will give us the desires of our hearts.  So, the next time you say, or hear, the words “Bless your heart”, think on the One who can truly bless the heart with true happiness and contentment that only comes from Himself.  (CC)  (651.6)