Troubled Heart:Trustworthy God November 9, 2009

Today we start a new series on a common occurrence we women face: having troubled hearts.

What is a “troubled” heart?  Some adjectives I came across for this very descriptive word are anxious; disturbed; weighed down; restless; fearful.  Do these words describe your heart at times?  They certainly do mine.

What most often tempts you to become anxious, disturbed or fearful?

• Financial worries?
• Health issues (yourself or your family)?
• Relational conflicts?
• Unsaved or spiritually disinterested family members?
• Delayed hopes or unanswered prayers?
• Ongoing weariness, fatigue and feeling overwhelmed with your responsibilities?

We can relate.  Our temptations are common.  Listen to these words written by the Psalmist thousands of years ago.

I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.  In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.  When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints.  You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak (Ps 77:1-4).

Perhaps reading these words bring surprising relief because of how aptly this describes you right now.  Or maybe your heart is not troubled to this degree, but you are anxious and fretful.  Do you sometimes feel it’s not “right” to feel this way because of how much you have to be grateful for?  Do you hesitate mentioning your troubled heart to anyone because it seems like you’re the only one who has such struggles?

I have good news for you.  The man who wrote those words in Psalms was called “a man after God’s heart.”  He loved God.  He usually trusted God.  He had sinned in serious ways against God.  Yet he battled the common temptation to feel overwhelmed and troubled.  Having a troubled heart doesn’t mean you don’t love God.  The gospel provides you and I with hope that the One who Himself was a “man of sorrows and fully acquainted with grief” wants to lovingly help us through the dark times that come.

Let’s talk more about this on Wednesday.  Until then:

Lord, for those who are reading these words and are reminded of past days when their heart was troubled, thank you for this season of joy and gladness in their lives.  Use them, Lord, to bring comfort and love to those they know whose hearts are troubled.  But for those who are currently troubled, please remind them of Your nearness and help.  You are the trustworthy One who is not only eager to help, but who also has the power to help.  Thank you for the reminder that You are at work, even when our troubles multiply and we feel powerless to help ourselves.  In our weakness You are strong.  Always.

Posted by Sheree