Finding Hope When Your Heart is Troubled

Has your heart ever felt troubled? There are moments all along a medical journey that can cause worry to sneak into the forefront. From times when concerning symptoms first start to show up to medical tests to receiving a diagnosis to thoughts about what the future holds, worry is a common challenge.

With COVID-19, this has been top of mind because concern over the loss of life, lack of resources, and unknowns about the future seem to be prevalent, but I was reminded this week that although worry may take different forms or be brought on by different circumstances, it is a common battle. 

Trouble Isn’t Uncommon

I was encouraged this week as I was reading about Jesus talking to his disciples. He was preparing his friends for troubles that were coming their way. Jesus would be leaving them, they would feel the shame of denying him, and they would feel overwhelmed and discouraged. 

But there is a beautiful way that Jesus cares for their hearts in the middle of this. Here’ what he says:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27

When I read, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” I noticed a compassion from Jesus to his friends that I hadn’t noticed before. In reading the chapter, Jesus was fully aware that they would face discouragement, worry, uncertainty, and trouble. He knew they would feel troubled and afraid, but he didn’t leave them to fight alone.

Jesus Meets Us in Our Trouble

The compassion of Jesus is one of the things that I’ve found enormous comfort in through our family’s story, through the stories of the courageous families we’ve interviewed, and through this COVID-19 crisis. Jesus knows that worry and anxiety are knocking on our door constantly, and when he talks to the disciples, he doesn’t judge them for the fact that they will feel anxious, he meets them in empathy and calls them beyond the worry. 

The hope that Jesus gives his friends is of a Helper who will come and be present. The Holy Spirit is our helper, and he is our guard when our hearts begin to feel troubled. He brings to mind the truth of who God is when we lose sight. He brings to mind the promises of God when we feel discouraged. And he brings to mind the presence of God when we feel alone. 

As I’ve been praying for the helloHOPE community and our broader community over this last week, I’ve been praying that the presence and truth of Jesus would be with us and encourage us in this time. 

Jesus told the disciples that when he is on the other side of the resurrection that their “hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (John 14: 22). Jesus gives a hope that understands our worries and troubles, but it doesn’t stop with simple empathy. He has actually conquered worry, anxiety, and fear through his death on the cross and resurrection. His promise is to be present with us in these moments and for the Holy Spirit to actually help us to reach through worry to peace. Through fear to confidence. Through uncertainty to truth. 

Fighting Fear with Truth

A global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic seems like it amplifies the fears and anxieties that normally tumble around in my heart. What I’m realizing is that as the worry amplifies, the grace and truth of Jesus seems to meet it at every turn — if I’ll turn my heart to the truth and ask the Lord to remind me of his character. 

Let’s fight for hope together and fight to keep our hearts from staying in a troubled or fearful place. Here are some promises that we can stand on as we feel fear knocking on our hearts. Jesus is truly nearer than we realize, and I pray that each of us will draw near to him and find comfort, peace, and encouragement in his presence with us. 

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'"
Isaiah 41:13

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."
Psalm 90:1-2

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’"
Psalm 91:1-2

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
James 4:8a