while today

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 NASB95)

Jesus’ disciples were extremely troubled.  Jesus had just dropped three bombshells on them: 1) One of their group is going to betray Jesus, 2) Peter, a leader among the group, is going to deny Jesus three times, and 3) Jesus, the one for whom they gave up everything, will be leaving them.  It is in this context that Jesus speaks these tender words to them: “Do not let your heart be troubled.”

Sometimes our hearts are greatly troubled, too.  We face difficulties, tragedies, and sorrows at times in this life that deeply shake us.  And yet, I think we too should hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” How is that even possible? 

Jesus gives us the answer to a troubled heart. Believe in God!  Believe also in Me!  Trust in God is the remedy for a troubled heart!  But many times (more times than I care to count) I hear the people of God say something like this, “Don’t tell me to just trust in God!” Or “Telling me to trust in God is not really helping anything!” Are we really hearing the words of the Master?

Let me offer some suggestions that may help us understand how trust in God will help us.  I need to hear these reminders, too.  We need to realize that trust in God is not just saying words. No, the kind of trust that will help us is an active, intentional trust in Him.  How can we develop that kind of trust? First, we need to take the time, often, to really reflect on the promises God has made to us.  Do you believe that you are forgiven? That you have a home in heaven reserved for you? That God will provide everything you need if you will seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness? The list goes on and on. Do you believe His promises?  Second, we need to spend some serious time reflecting on all the ways God has blessed us and all the ways that He has helped us in the past.  Counting our blessings will help us to trust Him more.  Third, we need to meditate on God’s love for us and His nearness to us.  God has said that He will never leave us and never forsake us.  Finally, with these things in mind, we need to look to Him with confidence in times of trouble. Don’t look to yourself. Don’t look at your problems. Don’t dwell on your fears. Look at God!  Trust Him and Him alone!

Trust is the remedy for a troubled heart.  May we all learn to trust God and Jesus Christ more deeply.

—Scott Colvin