“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
A troubled heart becomes an open door to confusion, misinterpretation, and impulsive reactions.
Jesus knew this when He said to His disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
He knew that a troubled heart cannot correctly hear the voice of God.
A troubled heart hears wrongly:
It no longer captures God’s voice but echoes fear and doubt.
It understands wrongly: it misinterprets situations, intentions, and even divine promises.
And it responds wrongly: its words become carnal reactions instead of spiritual responses.
When inner peace disappears, people’s words easily hurt us;
a word spoken in love can sound like an insult,
a sincere counsel can be taken as criticism,
silence can feel like rejection,
and trials seem like punishment.
Yet the problem is not in what is said, but in the state of the heart that listens.
That is why we must protect our hearts more than anything else.
“Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.”(Proverbs 4:23)
Illustrative Examples
1. The people of Israel in the desert (Exodus 16:2-3; Numbers 14:1-4)
Their hearts, troubled by fear and impatience, kept them from hearing God’s voice through Moses.
They misheard His promises and murmured against Him, believing He had brought them out to die.
A heart without peace hears wrongly, even when God speaks.
2. The disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32)
After the crucifixion, their downcast hearts made them unable to recognize the risen Jesus, even though He walked beside them and explained the Scriptures.
A troubled heart understands wrongly, even when truth stands before it.
3. Moses (Numbers 20:10-12)
In anger and inner turmoil caused by the people’s complaints, Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, thus disobeying God.
A troubled heart responds wrongly, even to the divine voice.
Spiritual Truth:
As long as your heart lacks peace, your perception of the world will be distorted,
your reactions will be excessive, and your communion with God will be disturbed.
The peace of the heart is the key to right hearing, right understanding, and wise response.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
You are the Prince of Peace.
I ask You to calm the storms within my heart.
Deliver me from fear, anger, and confusion.
Give me a quiet heart that hears well, understands well,
and responds according to Your wisdom.
May Your peace guard my thoughts and my words every day.
It is in your name, Jesus Christ, that I pray, Amen.
Apostle Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA