I’m starting a new series called “The Let Series.” I hope to post about once a week, but am very busy with other things. But here is the first one. The “let” idea came from seeing how often the Scriptures use the word “let” in its meaning of “allow.” Working hard for God is one thing, but “allowing” something to work through us is another.

John 14:1 and 27

Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me….

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid

John 14:1 is the scripture that gave birth to this series. Having read this passage perhaps thousands of times over the years, it suddenly became real to me one day, and I saw the call to peace and freedom in it that I’d never seen before.

I had always received this scripture as a kind of spiritual “there, there,” an encouraging pat on the head, like a mother soothing a young child. It seemed lovely but strangely ineffective in addressing the realities of actually being troubled.

But that morning, I saw the promise, the enablement, and the command all at once. “Let not your heart be troubled” is a promise that we don’t have to be internally troubled. What He’s saying here is that we have the ability, if we know Christ, to not allow our hearts to be troubled. If we are abiding in Christ, we have been enabled to not allow fear, anxiety, worry, and distress in to take over our emotional state, and we can “tap into” His peace whenever we’re being tempted into being troubled.

This passage is also a command, not a suggestion or just a heartening expression of support. And if He commands it, He has made the provision. Whether your translation says, “Believe in God” or “You believe in God,” the next portion of the scripture is the answer to how to move into a place where are hearts are protected from trouble and fear.

If we are going to let go of a troubled or fearful heart, we have to grab something to take its place. Allowing the exchange of fear and trouble for his peace can be challenging. We first need to believe that because He lives and is forever making intercession for us (Romans 8:34), we are able to get so close to Him that we can drop fear and trouble at his feet and receive His peace in exchange.

V. 27 says that He not only gives us peace, but He leaves it with us. Can we believe that? As we go to Him, we can (and are told to) drop our anxieties and receive in their place the peace of God that comes with knowing Him.

Having a heart that’s not troubled is a blessing we have from being Christ. For Christ’s followers, I ask, “Are you taking advantage of what He is offering us?”