Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

All days are not equal. They deliver different news, some good, some bad, some gifts that lift, some losses that consume us, but there is truth in it all. The seminal truth – for those of faith – is just this: “Let not your heart be troubled.” 

What does the Archangel Gabriel, bearer of good news, say to Mary when she learns she will become the mother of Jesus, the Mother of God? “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30)

What do the shepherds, tending their flocks on the night Jesus is born, hear from the angel who visits? “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people…” (Luke 2:8-20)

When we are prodded by media, social media, secular schools, political leaders, and those who push fear – asked to swap courage and faith for fear, do not.

These Christmas passages are lightness itself, reminding us at Christmas that our loving God is here, ever present in our lives, and specifically – quoting John –  “The truth will set you free,” meaning an earnestly held faith leads to salvation.  

But look deeper. Recall that the Bible’s whole message is that those with faith, who place themselves at the service of His mission – which turns on love – will be protected. Thus, John 14:1 says: “Let not your heart be troubled…”

In effect, the world is filled with trials, grief, stress, and loss. From Christ’s time to now, we are goaded to accept fear, replace faith in God with government, give up independent reasoning and faith for the false security of fallible leaders.

The fallacy is simple. Government is not a “stairway to heaven.” It never will be. Government is simply a means for managing the material needs of humanity, and – at its limited best – promoting private responsibility, civic duty, moral compass, and faith.

Matthew writes: “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s,” meaning do not confuse what is owed to government with what is owed to your loving God, who gives us life.

This theme – “Let not your heart be troubled” – is far broader than the messages delivered by Archangel Gabriel to Mary and the angel to the shepherds.

While we get a description of the promise in “The Beatitudes” and the New Testament, the promise begins earlier. The Old Testament foreshadows the promise.

In Isaiah 41:10, we read:  “Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In Psalms 34:4, we read: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Here is a testament to the promise fulfilled.

In Joshua 1:9, the promise is explicit: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As many learned young, others when needed, the 23^rd Psalm is a rock: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

The 23^rd Psalm finishes: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Over and over again, we are assured, promised, told to set aside anxiety, fear, grief, and the human forces of diminished courage in favor of unbending faith.

In the New Testament, which tracks the Old, we hear the affirmations, repeatedly assuring cause and history, depth and reason to “let not your heart be troubled.”

In Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control,” and John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, do not be afraid.”

Truth be told, this hardly scratches the surface. The Bible is filled with reassurance. That reassurance carried our Founding Fathers forward in their darkest hours, carried the Union Army, carried all who have faced fear – to favor.

So, as we face a new year and the natural uncertainty that attaches, remember the promises we hear vividly at Christmas – and “Let not your heart be troubled.” All days are not equal, but they are all made by God, and ours is a loving God.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!