The Cure For a Troubled Heart

Jun 23 2023 - Eric Buresh

Where theology meets life. That was my alternate title, but theology gets such a negative reception in some circles, I decided against it. The study of God, though, is not a brainy exercise or an intellectual enterprise for seminarians. It is a great treasure for us all. In knowledge of God and dependent belief in what He has revealed about Himself exist all the meaning and answers in life. HE, HE, HE is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Not principles. Not mottos. Not religious practices. Not traditions. Jesus is Life. Jesus is Truth. Jesus is the Way. So, yes, we study Him. We are theologians. 

When we don’t study Jesus (and His Father and the Holy Spirit), we quickly wander off the Way and away from Life. Our hearts become troubled. My heart was troubled this week. I had let myself look too much, too far ahead, and the slowly rising tide of anxiety at the future burdens started creeping in. My heart was troubled. My rest was disturbed. My faith faltered. But not for long. About 5:30 a.m., Jesus’ voice popped into my head, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1). 

The cure for a troubled heart: belief! Conversation explodes in my mind: I do believe! Get up, Eric, and start doing some theology. John 14. Good grief – there is so much in this chapter! Write it down. I’m drawn to versus 7-11: six times in six different ways, Jesus tells us He and the Father are one. If you know Jesus, you know the Father. Jesus’ presence is the presence of God the Father. The Father is with us because Jesus is with us. I believe! 

But wait, Jesus went back to heaven. He isn’t present with us any longer. I’m alone . . . NO, that’s all wrong! – I need accurate theology. Keep reading: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (14:16-18) “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” (vs. 21) 

I believe that! By the Holy Spirit, Jesus is – and I quote – “dwelling with me and in me.” And so is the Father. The Holy Trinity is residing in my soul. I am not an orphan. I am not alone. God is leading me on the Way. God gives me abundant Life. The One of greatest power, perfection and beauty in the entire universe is present and working in me. How can my heart be troubled? Are you kidding me? I confess. I wandered. I was distracted. I took my eyes off Jesus, and anxiety found the cracks in my broken cistern. As anxiety poured in, the Living Water poured out. I was grasping and thrashing, I was not believing. But I do believe! 

My heart is not troubled. Jesus, You are my Way. You are my Life. I will fix my eyes on You. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)