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This morning, I woke up at 5 AM, not because I had to, but because my heart was troubled and my brain was overprocessing a myriad of thoughts, concerns, and worries for tomorrow.
Ever been there? I would venture to say yes. So, rising up from my bed, I went straight to my coffee maker and brewed a cup of java. I then opened my sliding patio door and quietly stood in front of the screen and aimlessly stared into my backyard as the smell of coffee hit my nostrils. It was an oddly peaceful moment, but still my heart was troubled.
Sitting down at my kitchen table with my coveted brew in hand, it was then that a simple verse of scripture popped into my overburdened head: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV). “Well, Lord,” I say out loud, “my heart is troubled this morning and my thoughts are running amuck.”
Yes, I am a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ. And I’m also a chronic overthinker. So, why then is my heart troubled if I’ve put my trust in God? Suffice it to say that I’m a work in progress, and, on mornings such as this, God still surprises me with little things to calm my soul and to remind me that He’s always there and is always working out things for my good, and yours: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
I love birds—well, most birds. Around my neighborhood, we used to have a lot of robins. They’d perch on rooftops and chimneys throughout the day, and their sweet songs would fill the air. But this year, robins have all but disappeared—seemingly run out of town by magpies, an annoying bird with a bully mentality. As I began to write this devotional, a robin’s call surprisingly filtered to my ears from my backyard. It wasn’t for long, but the sound perked me up and served to remind me that God is always there, even in the smallest of gestures. “Do not let your heart be troubled,” I was again reminded.
Sometimes when I write these devotionals, I feel as though they are more for my own benefit than anyone else’s. Admittedly, it does help to put one’s thoughts to paper, or nowadays, to tap a keyboard. Having said that, I also believe that God is using my sleep depravity to grow my faith as I learn to trust in Him to calm my troubled heart. And more than that, I believe that God wants me to encourage you to heed the words of Jesus in John 14:1! “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” (NIV)
How about we both commit to absorbing these restful words into our collective hearts and souls?
With God’s help, I’m game if you are. And here’s to a better night’s sleep.
Paul Smyth
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