Day’s Journey—Today
Jesus, Reign in My Heart
By Lisa Rene Delgado
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, be at the center of my thoughts. Give me wisdom to hear what helps, courage to address what hurts, and grace in the words I choose. Amen.
Lately, I have wondered whether the people who belittle me in front of others know what they are doing. I question whether their words are intentional; are they really trying to belittle me, or do they even realize what they are doing?
Sometimes it is a remark made in front of a group where others look up, surprised, and question even themselves about what they heard. Sometimes it is being watched so closely that I have trouble concentrating on the work in front of me. I recognize how that feels. For years, I lived under that kind of control.
Jesus says that the mouth speaks from what fills the heart (Luke 6:45). I think about those words when someone speaks harshly to me. I need Jesus to help me when I am hurt and ready to answer; my flesh wants to hurt back; my ego wants to protect itself.
What is filling my heart as I decide what to say?
First John tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1–3). John is speaking about discerning what people teach about Jesus. His words remind me to bring what I hear and what I believe before Christ. I can recognize a familiar pattern of belittling without knowing another person’s motives. I can name what happened and ask for a change.
I’m willing to hear your concern. Please speak to me privately and tell me what you’d like me to do differently.
Helpful correction gives me something I can work with. When someone shares a concern respectfully, I can listen and take responsibility where I need to. When the way it is delivered wounds me, I can speak about that plainly, too.
I understand part of this struggle as spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6 reminds me that our struggle is deeper than flesh and blood. When I feel the urge to replay the insult or answer it with one of my own, I can pray for the strength to stand in truth and peace (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Someone’s words can follow me home. I can hear them again while I wash the dishes or when the house grows quiet. That is when I remember who sits on the throne of my heart. My mind, my heart, and my loyalty belong to Jesus.
So I pray the words He taught us, and I ask Him to begin with me.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in me, and on earth as it is in heaven.
Sacred Pause
Before you answer, take a slow breath. Name what happened in one plain sentence. Ask Jesus for the next words you need, or for the patience to wait until you can speak with grace. Pray for me too; no one is exempt from the devil’s schemes.
Prayer of Repentance
Father, forgive me for the times I answered hurt with hurt, joined in words that belittled someone else, or let resentment guide my thoughts. Show me where I need to make amends. Give me humility to receive honest correction and courage to set a respectful boundary.
Thank You for our daily bread and for Your steadfast Love and faithfulness. Let our words be few and seasoned with grace. Align our hearts with Yours. Keep our feet from the slippery slope of joining in when others tear someone down. Give us eyes to see, and ears to hear what is true and helpful, and what is destructive and harmful.
Jesus, reign in my heart and mind Today. Keep us hidden with Christ in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Scripture references: Luke 6:45, Matthew 6:9–13, 1 John 4:1–3, Ephesians 6:10–18, Colossians 3:3 and 4:6.
Adapted from Lisa Rene Delgado’s personal reflection and prayer with assistance from ChatGPT by OpenAI.