Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled!

As I was reading through the Gospel of John this past week, John 14:1 stood out to be as a faith-building verse.

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

As I was reading this verse it occurred to me that one way to avoid having a "troubled heart" is to believe in God and Jesus Christ. In other words, our faith in the existence and the goodness of God, becomes a guard against a "troubled heart." As you read on in John 14, you come to verse 27 …
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (Jn 14:27).

Not only is faith a guard against a "troubled heart', it allows us to access the peace of God. We know from Philippians 4:7 that the peace of God will "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Faith opens the door for us to experience God's peace and God's peace in turn guards our heart. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline (sound mind)." We serve a good God who is both mighty and faithful!

As we continue our 40 day season of Empowered Word, here are some declarations you can make over your lives …

My prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16b).

God richly supplies all my needs (Philippians 4:19).

I am dead to sin and have the victorious life of God living in me (Romans 6:11; Romans 5:17).

God is on my side; therefore I cannot be defeated (Romans 8:37; Psalm 91; Philippians 4:13).

I have a sound mind. I think the right thoughts, say the right words, and make the right decisions in every situation I face (2 Timothy 1:7).

You are a good God and I eagerly anticipate your goodness today.

What has God shown you during this season of Empowered Words? Words can create realities and environments and can set the course of our lives. What truths has the Lord shown you to counter lies that the devil or the world has thrown at you?