H is for - Do not let you HEART be troubled

 H is for - Do not let you HEART be troubled.

Well, if you are thinking easier said than done then join the club. Turning off your mind to a problem that is staring you in the face is not an option when the problem is so big it is consuming your every waking thought (and even the sleeping ones). We've all been there. In fact, if you are not in a problem currently you are probably just getting over one or about to get a new one.It's called life, and life is full of problems. 

Concerning the heart there is definitely more than meets the eye...because we've all 
put your heart into something, had one's heart is in the right place, had one's heart set against it, out of the goodness of my heart, given my heart away. Even David was a man after God's own heart. Clearly, the heart is something more. One might ever say your life flows from it (the Bible does).

So why would Jesus say in John 14:1, "Do not let your heart be troubled?" To me, trouble in this case means the emotions that are in your mind mess up your heart. What you think determines how you will be. So if your thinking is part of the problem. Quit looking at the problem five different ways. Stop focusing on the problem. Say, "Here God, I give you this problem." Put your focus on Him. God is bigger than your problem. Don't limit God in your thinking. He's not limited by people or circumstances. I would consider this good advice to not let your heart be troubled, worried or stressed out. Consider this... Your reaction to the problem is what determines your stress level and your trust in God.

"My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Proverbs 4:20-23. I used to worry to the point of making myself physically ill about money. It's not until I filled my heart up with reading the Word, and started to obey the principles there in that I can honestly say, I don't worry about money any more. I guard my heart with prayer and in turn God helps me to not be troubled.

Encourage Someone Today!

In Good Times and Bad Where is Your Focus?

In Good Times and Bad Where is Your Focus?

By Tracy Buzynski

When things are going good for you in your life where is your focus? Is it on a goal in your life that you want to accomplish?Is it on your career, or on providing a nice home and caring for your family? These are all worthy and noble goals. But is expanding your faith a high priority to you? Do you spend time in God's word? If your life is on track or not exactly where you want to be does your focus change? What are your kids focused on? When worldly trouble is on the horizon with problems so big that you have no solution, does it spur you on to seek higher answers that only the Lord can provide?

It came to my attention after 9-11 happened just how a tragedy can bring perfect strangers together. How a person's heart can break for others you don't know. A nation can turn to God in their search for peace, answers and healing. But I also watched while some were so absorbed with their own life's problems that they didn't get what happened to us as a nation. And how we are inter-connected as people.

By reading God's word, on a daily basis, I have found that I do not fear. It is a choice that I make. By building faith a little at a time on a daily basis He gives me the miracle of faith in action. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.Deuteronomy 31:6, and Psalms 115:11 You who fear him, trust in the LORD-- he is their help and shield. I have found that if you put enough good in your heart (God's Word) there is no room for fear.

What is on the horizon for our nation today? Untrust, unrest and mayhem are in today's headlines. So what do you do? Avoid the news, not get out of bed, or stay uninformed and uninterested in the world around you? To do nothing is doing something. You could start by making a choice. Choose to put His good word in you by reading His word. Help your kids by reading His word with them. Then commit to pray.Together and individually. Have a conversation with Him several times a day. It doesn't have to take long. When you wake up, on your way to school, before you walk into work, when you put your focus on Him, "In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success." - Proverbs 3:6

It never too late to start, but don't wait until for something bad to happen to start. You will find the miracle of peace in your heart to face the world, the peace of God, which passes all our understanding. Thank you Lord for your peace when I put my focus on you!