Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled or Afraid, What's the Difference?

One of my favorite things that Jesus said.  "Let not your heart be troubled".  I just find that a very comforting phrase.  I'm sure you've seen this verse before as well.

John 14:27(NKJV)

27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

What is interesting is that I had never noticed the second part of that before.  "…, neither let it be afraid".  What is the difference?  Let's take a look.

trou·ble

1. to disturb the mental calm and contentment of; worry; distress; agitate.
2. to put to inconvenience, exertion, pains, or the like: May I trouble you to shut the door?
3. to cause bodily pain, discomfort, or disorder to; afflict: to be troubled by arthritis.

4. to annoy, vex, or bother: Don't trouble her with petty complaints now.

5. to disturb, agitate, or stir up so as to make turbid, as water or wine: A heavy gale troubled the ocean waters.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/troubled?s=t>

a·fraid

1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension: afraid to go.

2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like: I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.

3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like: He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/afraid?s=t>

And because the definition for afraid refers to fear, hear is the definition of fear.

Fear

1. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. Synonyms: foreboding, apprehension, consternation, dismay, dread, terror, fright, panic, horror, trepidation, qualm. Antonyms: courage, security, calm, intrepidity.

2. a specific instance of or propensity for such a feeling: an abnormal fear of heights. Synonyms: phobia, aversion; bête noire, bogy, bogey, bugbear. Antonyms: liking, fondness, penchant, predilection.
3. concern or anxiety; solicitude: a fear for someone's safety.
4. reverential awe, especially toward God: the fear of God. Synonyms: awe, respect, reverence, veneration.
5. something that causes feelings of dread or apprehension; something a person is afraid of: Cancer is a common fear.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fear>

So here is my take on it.  To me there is a difference of intensity between fear and trouble.  If we were talking about a pain scale of 1-10 here I'd say trouble is about a 3 while pain is about a 7.  Does that make sense?

So we are all familiar with the verses throughout Scripture that tell us not to fear.  Here Jesus is telling us not only should we not fear, we shouldn't even be troubled.  We should enjoy nothing except the peace that surpasses all understanding.  That peace comes through our belief in Jesus. 

"Come on, that's unrealistic to not worry or be troubled!"

Is it?  Why not try it for yourself.  Just ask Jesus to come into your life to lead you.  Have a simple conversation with Jesus.   "Dear Jesus…"

Now the next time you feel troubled, use the power of Jesus to banish that feeling and replace it with His peace.  You'll be amazed!