Letting Go of a Troubled Heart
Dr. Charles Stanley
John 14:1, 27
What has a grip on your heart? Think about the things that trouble you. Perhaps you're dealing with financial need, relational stress, difficult circumstances, or lingering illness. What are we supposed to do with all the challenging situations we face? Jesus' words can seem like a pat answer to our very real dilemma because saying, "Do not let your heart be troubled" doesn't change our feelings.
However, a more accurate interpretation is, "Be troubled no longer." Jesus isn't saying that we are to deny our feelings and put on a happy face, but rather that we're not to let anxiety conquer us. Yes, we will experience trials, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can endure struggles with the peace of Christ.
But how do we move from overwhelming distress to undisturbed tranquility? Begin by focusing immediately on the Lord, not on the circumstance, trusting Him to help you through it. Read the Scriptures so you can understand His perspective on the problem and search out His promises. Then believe God and do whatever He says, because you can never have His peace without obedience. And lastly, present your troubles to the Lord in prayer, not just with requests for their removal, but with thanks for His strength to endure them.
The next time you feel a rush of fear or anxiety, remember Jesus' remedy: "Believe Me!" (vv. 1, 11). If you trust that He loves you and has a good purpose for allowing that difficulty in your life, you can thank Him no matter what you feel or what the outcome may be. Faith always ushers in His peace.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.
John 14:1, 27
What has a grip on your heart? Think about the things that trouble you. Perhaps you're dealing with financial need, relational stress, difficult circumstances, or lingering illness. What are we supposed to do with all the challenging situations we face? Jesus' words can seem like a pat answer to our very real dilemma because saying, "Do not let your heart be troubled" doesn't change our feelings.
However, a more accurate interpretation is, "Be troubled no longer." Jesus isn't saying that we are to deny our feelings and put on a happy face, but rather that we're not to let anxiety conquer us. Yes, we will experience trials, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can endure struggles with the peace of Christ.
But how do we move from overwhelming distress to undisturbed tranquility? Begin by focusing immediately on the Lord, not on the circumstance, trusting Him to help you through it. Read the Scriptures so you can understand His perspective on the problem and search out His promises. Then believe God and do whatever He says, because you can never have His peace without obedience. And lastly, present your troubles to the Lord in prayer, not just with requests for their removal, but with thanks for His strength to endure them.
The next time you feel a rush of fear or anxiety, remember Jesus' remedy: "Believe Me!" (vv. 1, 11). If you trust that He loves you and has a good purpose for allowing that difficulty in your life, you can thank Him no matter what you feel or what the outcome may be. Faith always ushers in His peace.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.
Words to Warm The Heart
"The just shall live by HIS faith." Habakkuk 2:4 KJV
"The first mark of the gift of faith is the love of TRUTH." Father Andrew
"Often we assume that God is unable to work in spite of our weakness, mistakes, and sins. We forget that God is a specialist; he is well able to work our failures into his plans." Edwin W. Lutzer
"To choose what is difficult all one's days as if it were easy; that is faith." W.H. Auden
"He who hath heard the Word of God can bear his silence." St. Ignatius of Loyola
"Let the Word of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you. Teach each other, and advise each other, in all wisdom." Colossians 3:16 NJB
Mary Sweet Mary - Selah & Plumb
This song can be found on Selah's "Bless The Broken Road - The Duets Album." Soon we will be celebrating once again the birth of our Savior and King. It really is amazing when you stop to think about how the birth of one small baby changed the world. -Beanscot
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