"Troubled By Troubles"

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1

Only the Lord knows the degree to which this life can be "troublesome". Troubles are on every side. They come from without and within. They happen in our families, on our jobs, with our health, in every area. The target of trouble is your heart. If it can get to your heart, it can cause you to be anxious, distressed, agitated, disturbed and disquieted. But there is a solution when trouble comes so that you won't fall prey to it but be victorious over it instead.

The verse above in grammar is an imperative sentence. In an imperative sentence the understood subject is "you". So the verse could read, "You don't let your heart be troubled." There is something that you must do. You have the responsibility to not let your heart become troubled. You have the responsibility to guard it with all diligence. You have the responsibility to take the steps to see that it is restored to peace should you allow it to become troubled.

What is that part? What is the solution? How do we obtain victory? "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:16,17) When trouble comes, don't let the fear and worry that it brings stay. Give it to God in prayer. Cast it upon the Lord. "Ye believe in God", remember who your belief and trust is in. He is greater than the trouble. He is greater than the fear it brings- He hasn't given you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

When I think about not letting my heart be troubled, I think about the potential there is for it to "run wild" just like imaginations that aren't captured and cast down. I can picture a team of horses that are held by a rein. If you don't keep a good grip on that rein, the horses can run wild and drag you behind them. What trouble wants to do to your "heart" is cause you to "lose hold of the reins" so it can take you on a "wild ride" and "drag you down". But again, that doesn't have to happen. You don't have to let your heart be troubled by the troubles that come your way. Your faith is in God who is the giver of peace.

Have a great day. Don't let troubles cause you to be troubled.