“Do not let your hearts be
troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
In Jesus’ last speech to us, His disciples, He longs
for us to place our trust in Him. He assures us that we truly have nothing to
worry about. He encourages us to not “let our hearts be troubled”. In a world
where everyone is focused on oneself, it is easy to get lost and feel
overwhelmed. Emotions flair up and confusion reigns. It’s easy to start worrying
and to be troubled with all the events that are happening in our lives.
Nevertheless, Jesus encourages us to trust in Him.
This kind of trust will make us rise above our circumstances and conquer the
troubles in our heart. The problem is: do we really trust in Jesus, or do we
make worrying our prime directive? You see, the two are related! Trust and worry
are antonyms. Opposites. We either trust or we worry. We can’t do both!
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap
or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” (Matt 6:26
NIV)
No matter what the circumstances we find ourselves in,
God will provide! That is a fact! We have nothing to worry about!
However, this is an interesting text. Birds usually
have no other choice but to rely on God to provide for all of their necessities.
But once in a while, they start relying on humans for food. When this happens,
they start to worry as well! It’s like an epidemic! Take seagulls for example.
Throw them a morsel of food, and before you know it you have a battle on your
hands, with several gulls all fighting over that insignificant piece of bread,
totally forgetting the providence of God.
I experienced this firsthand last summer. I grow
berries in my garden. My personal favourites are those not quite as well known
in North America, such as gooseberries, red currants, black currents and white
currents (Yes, they have them in almost every colour! Neat don’t you think?)
Normally the bushes hold far more than I could ever eat, but this year something
was different. Many of the berries hung from the branches of the berry bushes,
half-eaten!
Who was eating my berries?
I noticed that every time I went to collect my daily
berries I would hear the angry chattering of a bird nearby, but if I would look
around, everything would become silent. I was never able to locate the source of
the commotion, but every time I would reach out my hand to try to rescue one or
two whole berries, I had this funny feeling I was being watched with eyes of
hate.
Strange!
It didn’t deter me from getting my daily dose of
berries, no worries there, but it did mean there weren’t nearly as many berries
for me to pick this year!
Then one day, a few days later, I looked out my
upstairs bedroom window just in time to see a strange sight. A starling was
hanging upside down from the branches of one of my berry bushes. As I watched, I
noticed he was gorging himself on the very berries I so delight in.
The mystery of the berry patch was resolved!
There truly was discontent when I came to pick my
daily berries. That starling was worried I would eat all of “his” berries. He
was completely unaware that there were plenty for both of us! He was worried for
nothing!
Too often we lean on our own understanding instead of
trusting 100% in God. During these times, worrying become our main focus. But in
all honesty, worrying is truly a complete waste of time. Our Lord WILL come
through for us, if we only believe!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your
paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6 NIV)
Would you like some berries? I’ve got dozens of
half-eaten ones to give away!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.