We’ve been wrapping our hearts around the holiness that we find in the simple things that create faith and wholeness. We are choosing to rest in the simplicity of faith, right now in this very moment. Last week I posted at 5 Minutes for Faith, and it fits right in.
“Do not let your heart be troubled;
believe in God, believe also in Me
–John 14:1.
How many times have I read this verse? Quite a few, yet because I am prone to worry, I come back to it again and again.
Isn’t it easy to grab hold of a verse and try to stick it onto our souls like a bandaid? As if one quick fix and the bleeding of our hearts will stop.
No more worries and no more struggles.
Yet bandaids will not cure the troubles of our souls, any more than pulling a single verse out of context will fix our brokenness. Do not let…oh, how many times I let worry creep in and then I open the door wide. When trouble gets a foot in the door, it’s time to shut the door.
The biblical word for trouble is tarasso, meaning to agitate, to cause inward commotion, to take away calmness of mind. As if that’s not enough, the meaning extends deeper to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread, to render anxious and distressed. Like a bully, trouble, threatens and darkens our thoughts, and it is oh-so-easy to cave, giving into the temptation to let our thoughts spin with an increasing, frantic energy that can drive you right into full on fear.
Believe in God, believe also in Me.
Jesus simply states the antidote to fear and worry. Verses will never be bandaids, but believing opens our hearts for the power of God to strengthen and calm. Peace of mind and rest for the soul are the blessed by-products of believing Jesus as we learn to cast all our cares on Him.
Overused and diluted, the word believe has become more of an opinion rather than strength for the soul that changes a life. To rely on, trust in, cling to and place confidence in–this is the lifeline for our souls and the conduit to receive the strength and peace of God.
Join me for the remainder of this article.
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Believing opens our hearts for the power of God to strengthen and calm.
What verse have you been tempted to use as a bandaid?
So glad you're here. I help busy women—gals like you— build healthy habits for living well with biblical wisdom and practical steps to deepen your faith, increase your hope, and thrive in your purpose.
Thank you for this beautiful blog. A blog to my heart. To my tired inner. Thank you so much. Keep writing!
Isn’t it a wonder that blogging crosses oceans and geographical boundaries. Blessings to your soul today and may God give you encouragement in every moment.
Ginger, I popped on over from my site, where you so kindly visited and commented. Funny, I just wrote a post on worry the other day. But I love how in depth you went on this.
I just want to tell you that I think we were standing in line at the same time when God was forming us-probably joking, being goofy and not paying attention. Humor seems to be what I build from. I too love to worship, speak, communicate, encourage and teach. I also act and sing and write (obviously, duh!). I subscribed to your blog because of our similarities. Looking forward to “getting to know you” (as well as anyone can in the blogosphere and not IRL).
How fun to find that we have so much in common. I will enjoy keeping up with you and thanks so much for subscribing! I’ll look forward to reading much more of your funny bone!
Hi, there! I’m stopping by from #TellHisStory. Yes and amen to this line here – “Overused and diluted, the word believe has become more of an opinion rather than strength for the soul that changes a life.” One thing I’ve been learning over the past few years is how often I fail to truly believe. I claim the word, but my actions do not follow. Great post!
Jen 🙂
Welcome, Jen! So glad you stopped by. I too sometimes struggle for my actions to line up with my beliefs when it comes to overcoming worry. Blessings to you today.
That verse says it all! Thanks for visiting me at Doorkeeper & for sharing this encouraging post, Ginger. Blessings!