Donut Let Your Heart Be Troubled
Chances are pretty good that by the time you read this, you will have already consumed the news for the day through either social media, TV, or radio. And, I would also venture to say that the headlines for the day reflect the fact that there is a LOT to be concerned about in this world: protests, riots, invasions on private property, kidnappings, saber-rattling between nations, and evil everywhere you turn!
You don’t necessarily have to watch or listen to the news in order to become agitated. Most of the time it’s something that hits closer to home: tensions in relationships at work, tensions in relationships at home, pressures from your job, expectations to be met by others, finances, health. All of this most certainly contributes to putting us in a foul mood or, at the very least, dampening our spirit somewhat.
When we get down in the dumps, friends, coworkers or members of our family, although well-meaning, will tell us not to worry, things are bound to get better. I was told once, “Don’t worry, things could be worse.” So, I didn’t worry and sure enough, things got worse!
Remember Bobby McFerrin and his song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”? Snappy little song with a reggae-style beat. It’s one of those songs that if you hear it, it’s hard to get out of your head (you know, kind of like Disneyland’s, “It’s a Small World” tune. The tune that is now rolling around in there!) Anyway, here is just a portion of the lyrics from McFerrin’s hit: “Don’t worry, be happy. In every life we have some trouble, but when we worry we make it double. Don’t worry, be happy.” Don’t worry, be happy. Easy enough to say, but does it really work? If I were to take a bite from a chocolate covered, creme-filled donut (I know you were wondering when the donut imagery was going to show up), there would be but a brief moment of happiness and the slightest of pauses from the cares of this world…but that only lasts as long as the taste lingers.
How do people try to escape the pressures and troubles that invade their life without permission? Some try to keep their mind off their troubles by drowning out the noise with other activities: binge-watching TV shows, playing games on a phone or computer, drinking alcohol to numb the senses, staying busy at work, or a myriad of other things. The problem is, after the indulgence, our troubles are still with us and our troubled spirit is still troubled. Those things are not solutions. They’re distractions
There IS an answer, however! Take a look at John 14:1. Jesus is trying to calm the disciples about upcoming events when He tells them,
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
Jesus didn’t say, “Let not your hearts be troubled” and stop there. He didn’t sing a snappy little tune and tell His disciples to just be happy and forget what was troubling them. He gave them a solution! What was the solution? “Believe in God; believe also in me.”
We need to take a moment to examine the word used for “believe.” It doesn’t mean an acknowledgement of fact. “Oh, see that tall heap of earth over there? That’s called a mountain.” And everyone nods their head in agreement. “Oh, yeah. That’s a mountain, alright!” That is NOT what “believe” means here. The word means to entrust oneself to another. Jesus was telling His disciples, “Entrust yourself to God’s care, entrust yourself to my care also.”
So, isn’t He just telling them not to worry and be happy? No! Jesus doesn’t want or expect us to deny that we have problems or to disregard the fact that the world around us is filled with troubles. He wants us to turn to and trust Him when life turns sour. Notice what He says in John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
He states emphatically that in this world we will, indeed and without a doubt, have trouble. Life on dear old planet Earth is not easy. We were never promised an easy one. We were promised, however, God’s divine help if we place our trust in Jesus. He has overcome this world!
As more and more troubles loom on the horizon, do not not lose your footing. Make sure that your faith is rooted, not on the slippery sands of this world’s system, but on the solid and immovable foundation of Jesus Christ.
