Have you ever tried to pour water into a glass that is already full? If so, then you know what happens: the water spills over the sides. The glass cannot contain the new water because it is full! So it is with our hearts. God desires to pour His love, peace, joy, hope, faith, and strength into our hearts, but they are full. They are full to the brim with past and present worries, fears, disappointments, hurts, and frustrations that our circumstances seem to create. The negative emotions that fill our hearts leave no room for the loving Lord to give us what we need.

So how do we pour out the negative to make room for the positive? We begin by talking to Jesus about what we are really feeling. The important factor is that we must feel what we are pouring out to truly let go and release our negative emotions. As this way of praying becomes more familiar, we will gradually find Him replacing the negative in our hearts with His healing ointment, which causes His love, peace, joy, hope, faith, and strength to be experienced in our lives. Remember, God is the place of safety to run to when our hearts feel overwhelmed.

“Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us [a fortress and a high tower]. Selah ” (Psalm 62:8).