#KnowthewillofGod
“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)
As followers of Jesus, I’m sure you personally know that there is nothing more tormenting than to go through your daily life with a troubled heart. The word troubled is a state of distress. It means to agitate, stir up the mind, to cause anxiety. When someone is “troubled”, they start viewing life with apprehension. They create a negative outlook, which affects the decisions they make in life. The tendency in a troubled life is to pull back and to start alienating yourself. It can tear you up emotionally and steal your joy.
When a person stays troubled they also open the door to an even greater enemy of life-FEAR! When fear is added to the mix, it can escalate your troubled state to an even higher level of anxiety. This is why it is so important that you take Jesus’ words deep into your heart! Jesus said, “…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
The word “afraid” depicts a gripping fear that robs of strength/courage. When fear is involved in your life, it will rob you of the ability to face what is before you, and steal all strength from you.
Thousands of years ago, Jesus spoke these words to them and now to us. It is important to note that back then they did not know all the negative effects of being troubled and or fearful. We do! Through medical science as well as psychiatric studies, we can see why Jesus was telling us to not open ourselves up to these. You can find this everywhere on the web. The effects of being troubled and or fearful will cause the following: cardiovascular disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and stroke. It can also cause or exacerbate many serious health problems, including mental health problems, such as: depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.
This why Jesus says, “Do not be troubled or fearful!” We also have another example of God not wanting us to live in this manner in 2 Timothy 1:7 when Paul told Timothy, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Timothy was facing real problems, not imaginary ones, at the time Paul wrote this verse to him. Paul did not want Timothy’s emotions to be in bondage to a spirit of fear with all its negative effects. Paul was telling Timothy that his being subject to a sense of fear was not the will of God. The Lord’s Will is what He has given him— a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind!
This is God’s Word showing us that Jesus understands what you and I are facing!
Listen friend, we were not created to be torn up in our emotions! That is why we must quickly learn to grab hold of our emotions and tell ourselves, I wasn’t made for this! We must refuse to allow this sense of panic and fear to get hold of us! If you are in the midst of being troubled or fearful I want you to confess now that you believe the words of Jesus over what is troubling you. Say this out loud, “I believe in Jesus, He is my Lord! I commit to Him the situation (say what it is) that has brought on this worry/fear. He has given me the spirit of POWER and not fear and I choose to walk in this power and His Love, because I have a sound, well-disciplined mind! Thank you Jesus!”
Praise God! We must always remind ourselves, what we have in Jesus. This won’t be the last time you’re attacked. The moment you start feeling troubled or fear starts to attack-rehearse the words of Jesus to yourself. Speak those words with boldness and declare, “I will not be troubled and I will not fear!” Remember, Jesus would never tell you to do something you couldn’t do! You are destined to win in life. Yes, the battles will come, but God’s Will is for you to OVER-COME! I know you can do this, you were born for this!
