Hardened heart and repentance — how to break callousness and return to closeness with God

Key scriptures: The LORD is near the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18); the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Mike's prescription: (1) Pray specifically that God would tear away the calluses of the heart and restore feeling. (2) Stop the sin — when you stop, you begin to see the sin for what it is; calluses are built by continued habituation and break down with distance. (3) 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape. The lie that I have no choice is a self-justifying narrative. (4) Confess the truth about the sin in prayer: name its wound against God, its victims, its suffering. Start walking in the right direction and the heart will eventually follow — do not wait for emotion to precede action.