“Why are you troubled?”  These are the direct words Jesus spoke to His apostles during one of His appearances following the Resurrection.  The living God stood in front of His apostles and asked them, “Why are you troubled?”  That same living God stands in front of us today, asking us that same question.  As I spent time in prayer pondering that question, I realized there was much on my mind and my heart that seemed to be consumed with trouble.  God does not want our heart to be troubled…He desires for us to give Him those troubles and allow Him to work within our lives.

I am currently sitting in a house of complete strangers while my best friend is sitting at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  She is with her seven-month-old son who has many health issues from a rare genetic disorder called, Noonan’s Syndrome. Tragically her amazing husband was not able to be with her during these appointments as he was needed back at home, but because I had some flexibility, I was able to come and be with her, so she was not left alone.  However, amid COVID, I am not able to be with her during the appointments, thus, she is still all alone receiving all the over-whelming information.  To say my heart is troubled, would be an understatement.  Then, I think of her and what she is going through and feel bad that my heart is troubled because her heart must be even more troubled.  As I send this all to prayer, I hear God clearly say, “Tara, do not let your heart be troubled…give it to me, AND for goodness sakes, DO NOT try to take it back and deal with it on your own.”

My friends, why do we move first to worry instead of trusting in the Lord.  Why do we question if God has things under control?  Why do we think that we can do a better job than God can do at fixing situations?  Several times throughout Scripture our Lord tells us not to be afraid and now He clearly tells us not to be troubled.  These words sound great, but how do we live these words?

The answer is:  STOP COMPLICATING EVERYTHING!!!  I will be the first to admit that I am NOT good at this!  I complicate most situations because I try to fix them myself.  Can anyone relate or is this just me?  God makes it simple, He says, “Do not be afraid!”  He also says, “Why are you troubled?”  God wants to go through the trouble for us.  God wants to fix everything for us!  Now, He may need us to do our part, but that does not mean we do the fixing, we just need to cooperate in His plan!  Am I willing to let God take control and get the heck out of the way so that God can work?  I pray the answer is, “Yes, yes I am!”  I will pray for you too, that you will allow God to be the one in control in your life.

Now, there is nothing I can do to make things better for my best friend and her son, but I do know that if I get myself out of the way and let God do what God needs to do that my heart can feel peace.   Peace that nobody but God can give to me.  I pray that whatever situation in your life may be troubling you that you will let God take control and experience the peace that He genuinely wants you to feel.  In all things may God give you peace!