Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I have known fear.  I lived with the knot in my gut for years.*

I hadn't really thought about my heart being troubled.

According to Strong's Concordance,  the word heart (G2588) in John 14:27 means the thoughts or feelings (mind).  

Let not your heart be troubled.  

The words Let and trouble are both G5015, meaning of uncertain affinity, to stir or agitate.  Affinity is an attraction, a natural liking.  So both Let and trouble mean an uncertain liking.  Agitate means to disturb, to move to and fro, as uncertainty can move one's thinking back and forth, pro and con.

So, Let not your heart be troubled could read - Agitate not your thoughts or feelings to be agitated.  Maybe once I start the agitation, it continues on its own?  I can relate to that.

I've recently found that though I felt fear in my gut, trouble I feel in my upper back with tightness across my shoulders.  I've been feeling that tightness a lot lately.   Why am I agitated?  Of what am I uncertain?  

Here is another opportunity to grow, to practice peace.**

I know of what I  am certain.  I am thoroughly loved.  My God has prepared my way.  End from beginning, all is well.  I can rest peacefully in the faithfulness of God.

I love this life.

* Read Overcoming Anger .
**Read Practice Makes Peaceful.

Copyright 2013  Leah Lambert Smith

Note - John uses this same word (G5015) in reference to Jesus' spirit being troubled in John 11:33, John 12:27 and John 13:2.

Make the Decision

The best you can think of people is that they unconditionally love you.  I wrote about it here.

So…that voice that wonders – Do they love me? That voice that accuses – If they loved me they wouldn’t… That voice that declares – Nobody loves me. Make the decision and these voices are mute.

I’ve made my decision. My husband loves me. My children love me. My parents love me. My in-laws love me. My friends love me…

Generally speaking, people love me.

It is my decision to have that viewpoint – they love me.

The decision not only frees me from negative thoughts; it creates positive thoughts.

I love this life!

Copyright 2013 Leah Lambert Smith