When Our Heart is Heavy

There is nothing that seems more isolating and more debilitating than a troubled heart. It is a feeling that the weight of the world is pressing down on us, and we really do not have anywhere to turn. It is a sense of hopelessness, of frustration and of concern over a situation that seems completely out of our control. Yet, as Jesus said in John 14:1, “Do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God and believe also in me.”

Every Christian has an advocate in heaven. Someone who has gone through similar challenges in His life as we have in ours. Jesus is His name, and He is no stranger to a troubled heart. On the very night that He was betrayed, His heart was deeply troubled, and He sought comfort from His Heavenly Father. His voice cried out to God in prayer as His heart grappled with what was about to come. Jesus let His Father know of the heaviness of His heart, and of His fear on how the night and the next day would unfold. When our own heart is heavy, we should follow the example of our Lord and call out to our Heavenly Father. As Psalm 18:6 tells us, “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”

Whenever questions and events come at us and there seemingly is no clear answers or obvious paths to follow. Whenever our heart becomes heavy with worry and concern, we need to reach out to our Father in Heaven. We need to ask Him for clarity on what is truly going on in our life and pray that He fills us with His understanding and guidance on how to move forward. 

So let us stand strong on God’s word and believe Paul’s teaching found in Philippians 4:6-7 that reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

As the Holy Spirit directs us in our next steps, trust that He is always with us and will guide us through every struggle. Let us place our trust in the Lord and know that He stands with us as we face the difficulties in our life. Reach out and take His hand as He walks with us through our trials. Listen closely as He speaks to our heart. Allow His words to guide us in our next steps, and always trust that we will come through it all while still holding the hand of our Lord.