Help for Troubled Hearts
Today's Verse:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ~John 14:1
Are you experiencing trouble in your life? Over the last several months, we have had several good friends experience trouble. There have been the passing of a loved one, hospitalizations, extreme health diagnoses, setbacks, and unexpected delays. These friends have hearts filled with trouble. Job describes our lives as being few in days and full of trouble. This morning, we want to find God’s help when our hearts are filled with trouble.
There is the source of trouble.
Trouble will come from external sources out of our control. This could be the diagnosis of an extreme illness, the death of a loved one, the downsizing by our employer, a natural disaster, an unplanned accident, or sudden departure of someone you love. These are troubles that we cannot plan for or expect. Then, there are troubles of our own making. Sometimes these troubles are a result of unconfessed sin, unresolved conflicts, and feelings of ill will against another person. The older we get, the more troubles we will have. The more people we get to know, the more troubles we will have in our relationships. The more we accumulate, the more trouble we will have with covetousness, temptation, and greediness.
There is the suffering in trouble.
Our hearts are agitated. We have sleepless nights. We lose our appetite. We withdraw from social contact. We feel anxiety and worry. We lack peace in our hearts and minds. When trouble comes, we feel like we are trapped and have no way out. In some extreme cases, the trouble triggers thoughts of dying. We feel like our world has caved in on us. We feel numb and lack motivation to go on. We suffer more bad days than good days. We feel sorry for ourselves and lose awareness of everything going on in our lives. The suffering from trouble shows up in our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We are sick and in need of help.
There is the sovereignty in trouble.
Here is the one thing we need to give immediate attention to: God knows all about our troubles. God is with us in our troubles. God is there to be our helper in time of trouble. In Psalm 118, we are reminded that in our distress, the Lord hears our cries and sets us in a large place. The Lord is on our side. We do not have to be afraid. The Lord gives us strength. He gives His beloved sleep. We can confidently say, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.” No matter how severe and overwhelming our troubles are, God is for us. Let God arise in your hour of trouble.
There are the steps in trouble.
First, have faith in God. "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." The trial of your faith worketh patience. Have faith in God’s power, peace, and performance. Second, give every detail of your trial and suffering to God. Let your heart be free from worry and anxiety by allowing God to have control. Third, spend time in prayer and allow the Lord to work in your life. Fourth, spend time reading through Job, Psalm, and Proverbs. You will see how every emotional upheaval that we have is touched on in these books. Last, let the truth of Romans 8:28 work in your life: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Yes, there is help for our troubled hearts. May the Lord give you the grace you need for whatever He has entrusted to you. Let not your hearts be troubled!
Have a faith-enabled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 14-16