Peace: A gift from Jesus
Hi Sweet Friend!
We are starting a new month, and it's time to look at another command from Jesus.
As I shared in May, I'm taking us through a journey to study the commands of scripture. I got this idea from Matthew 28:20, "...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." So we are answering the question, what did Jesus command?
In June, we'll be looking at a phrase Jesus repeated several times. "Let not your heart be troubled..." (John 14:1, John 14:27, John 16:33, Matthew 6:25-26)
I don't know about you, but so often I'm going about my regular life, and all of a sudden, I "let my heart be troubled..." That is, I'm anxious or worried about something. Literally anything...
From little things like planning the morning routine the night before because I'm worried about timing, to big things like an upcoming surgery or finances.
I find worry to be a sneaky little imp that worms it's way into my thoughts, almost without me noticing. Then all of sudden, wham! I'm worried or anxious about the situation.
"Let not your heart be troubled..."
Just imagine the voice of Jesus, with kindness in His eyes, inviting you in for a hug. You sit on His lap and rest your head on His shoulder. You take a deep breath, and then He says, "Let not your heart be troubled...My peace I give you."
The cares and anxieties of this life would just melt away in that moment. Safe in the arms of Jesus. But isn't this always the case for a child of His?
We may not feel it, but we, as beloved daughters, are always safe in His arms.
Paul repeated this in Philippians 4:6-7, "...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (ESV)
I started digging into this phrase of Jesus, and I looked at the word for "troubled." It a Greek verb that means to agitate, to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, to disquiet, make restless, to stir up, to trouble, to strike one's spirit with fear and dread, to render anxious or distressed, or to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts (blueletterbible.org).
When I looked at the meaning of the word "troubled," it reminded me of doing the dishes the other day. My husband had used a small portable blender for a smoothie and I was washing it. I put two ingredients in, soap and water. I covered the top with my hand and hit the power button. Whirring and churning ensued.
I was a little surprised when I poured out the liquid though. Instead of soapy water, the two had blended into a milky-like liquid. The blender had "troubled" the ingredients so well, they actually changed in form.
When we let our hearts be troubled, we are like that soapy water. We change from a daughter at peace with Jesus, to a self-absorbed worrier who struggles to see others and love them well.
That's not what I want for my life.
I want a peaceful mind that trusts God with every little and big issue. I want to bring my requests to Him with thanksgiving and gratitude. I want my life to be about loving Jesus with all my heart and loving others to honor Him.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at this topic in different ways.
I pray that your heart is at peace with Jesus. I pray you take a deep breath and hear Him tell you, "Let not your heart be troubled...My peace I give you."
Blessings in His love,
~ Stephanie
StephanieMBullock.com