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Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled About…

let-not-your-heart-be-troubled

Do You Have Heart Trouble?

Websters 1828 describes troubled this way: Disturbed; agitated; afflicted; annoyed; molested.

My heart has been troubled for a couple of weeks. I came to the conclusion that I’m battling depression – again!

I’m glad I recognized it early on. Hopefully it will be much easier to get out of this time.

Yes, I’ve been here before. I usually end up here when I let my thoughts wander to things I shouldn’t be thinking about.

When I asked for prayer I said I didn’t think I really had anything to be depressed about. I was reminded that there has been a lot of low level stress in my life for a long time. It culminated this summer with our son having difficulty breathing and seeing specialist after specialist without finding a cause.

We cancelled our vacation because of this. Instead I’ve spent a lot of time at doctor’s offices with him.

The morning I recognized my depression I was reading this verse:

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. … 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.”John 14:1, 27 KJV

I made a list that looked something like this:

  • Let not your heart be troubled about Eric’s health.
  • Let not your heart be troubled about Dan’s work.
  • Let not your heart be troubled about politics.
  • Let not your heart be troubled about your health.
  • Let not your heart be troubled about your future.
  • Let not your heart be troubled about your children’s future.

You get the idea. My depression was due to trying to handle a myriad of things that weren’t even mine to handle.

My Plan                                                                                       I choose joy

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV)

  • First, I do need to take my thoughts captive. This has always been a struggle for me. The quicker I recognize what I’m doing the easier it is to stop. This means I need to grab that cup of coffee and spend more time in the Word. Only by being in the Word will I recognize more quickly when I’m sinning.
  • Second, I need to ask friends to pray. This means admitting my weakness and need. It’s often difficult for me to ask for help.
  • Third, I need to replace my negative thoughts with what God’s Word says I should be thinking about.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”Philippians 4:8

  • Fourth, I need to be busy with the things the Lord has given me to do. For me this doesn’t mean the “To Do” list of 100 things I always have on hand. It means I prayerfully select the top three to four things I know the Lord has for me to do today. Then I start to work on them. If I get them all done I can add another if I want. I can also use the free time to do something I enjoy.
  • Fifth – I choose joy! I’ve been telling myself this a dozen times a day for a couple of weeks now. This morning I woke up after sleeping through the night (which I haven’t been doing) and I actually felt joyful. I was reminded again how feelings are often the last thing to respond so as I keep my eyes on Jesus I can choose joy even if I don’t feel it all the time.

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4 Comments

  • Susie Busch
    Posted September 23, 2016 at 7:55 AM

    Thank you Phyllis! This is just what I needed to hear right now.

  • Susie
    Posted September 22, 2016 at 6:27 PM

    Praying for you. I love how you worded this post. PS. Your images are incredible! I aspire to be that good. 🙂 Hugs, Susie

    • Post Author
      Phyllis Sather
      Posted September 23, 2016 at 12:48 PM

      Thanks Susie. I appreciate your encouragement. Bekah did the images. I picked the photos. She does make me look good.

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