Spiritual Heart Failure

By: Keefe Wilson

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

I spent years working in military emergency rooms, so I'm familiar with the devastating effects of heart failure. I remember working during a snowstorm in the Grand Forks, North Dakota ER when a woman called and said her husband collapsed. She said moments earlier he seemed fine, but then she added that his doctor had warned him for years that unhealthy habits, unmanaged high blood pressure, and not taking proper medications would severely weaken his heart. When we arrived, he was in full blown cardiac arrest, so we started CPR, loaded him into the ambulance, and rushed him to the hospital. Despite our efforts, he passed away from a massive heart attack that was caused by heart failure.

Heart failure (CHF) occurs when someone's heart becomes too weak pump blood efficiently. But Heart failure doesn't happen suddenly, it's a slow, gradual deterioration. It's brought on by neglect, unhealthy habits, unmanaged high blood pressure, and ignoring medical advice. When those risk factors converge, the heart muscle will weaken until it fails.

Do you know the same thing can happen to us spiritually?

Spiritual heart failure doesn’t happen overnight either. Proverbs 4:23 says it starts when we fail to guard our hearts. Small compromises, skipping our quiet time, not opening God's Word, and only praying occasionally are the warning signs of spiritual heart failure. Before we know it, the sin that once grieved us no longer bothers us... Worship becomes a ritual instead of an expression of our heart. If we aren't careful, we'll only be "going through the motions" of Christianity and our heart for God will continue to get weaker.

The most frightening part of spiritual heart failure is that it often goes unnoticed. We can look spiritually alive on the outside while we're getting weaker on the inside. Someone can be in church every week, lead a small group, serve on the worship team or in ministry while their heart slowly drifts away from God. Eventually, their relationship with Christ will become a duty instead of a delight.

But I have some good news! I have a friend named Jesus, and He is able to cure spiritual heart failure! He's inviting anyone who has drifted away to return. His cure starts with repentance, and His treatment plan includes regular applications of God's Word. It will also require sincere prayer, confession of sin, and asking God to strengthen our hearts. Remember, "Dr. Jesus" will never deny treatment to anyone who returns to Him with a sincere, humble heart.

Today, don't just examine your busy schedule —examine the condition of your heart!