Ode to the Troubled Heart with a Furrowed Brow
Ode to the Troubled Heart with a Furrowed Brow is a rhyming poem to remind believers not to be blind to the tests God assigns for their best. And not to forget, there is a spiritual battle within between the flesh and the Spirit that only God can win. Thus, a furrowed brow showing frustration, anger, and concern will always be a reminder to call out to Him.
So, my story began one day when, to my dismay, I discovered that a furrowed brow had displayed itself on my face for too many days. It had been coming on for some time and was hard to deter as stressful emotions were constantly stirred. Yet, I was unaware of how often a furrowed brow appeared until it had etched a deep line I saw in the mirror.
My husband’s Alzheimer’s turned my life upside down, and as the disease progressed, I began to frown. Mainly because, with challenges galore, there was little time left for Jesus, my Lord. And that was the day, a little late, when I realized that my walk with God had taken second place.
Oh Lord, I cried. I miss the peaceful face I used to wear from spending time with Thee, but that was before I got off track and thought everything was up to me. I do not understand what I do, Lord. For what I want to do, I do not do, but instead, I do what I hate, and only you can give me a clean slate.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior, and my God. Psalm 43:5
The Troubled Heart Creates a Furrowed Brow
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3
I hear you, my child, and you will see in Romans 7 that my Apostle Paul wrestled with indwelling sin until lifting his eyes to heaven. I heard Paul when he cried from the end of himself, “What a wretched man I am. Who will save me from this body of death?” Then, Paul said, “Thanks be to God that Jesus can.” That’s the answer, and indeed, it is true that only faith in Christ can rescue you.
Thank you, Father God, that your faithful Presence whispers truth to me and woos me in my agony. Indeed, my child, faith comes from believing my Word is true, and all my promises will really help you, too. Faith is what you need, so look to me alone instead of trusting yourself in the unknown.
I agree, my Lord, that a furrowed brow reveals a heart that needs attention, so when it appears, help me quickly call on you for an intervention. Because only supernatural help will do to deny myself and live for you. Indeed, I don’t want this furrowed brow, so what should I do?
“Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you,” says the Lord Almighty. Now, open the Bible, and I will speak what is true. And when you believe what I say and take it to heart, you will see your countenance reflect what I supernaturally impart.
Jesus Sympathizes with The Troubled Heart
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Lord Jesus, I am grateful that you understand completely what I am going through because your life on earth was filled with suffering, too. Indeed, the Bible says you were a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, all because of humanity’s unbelief. And you, too, were tempted by sin and felt the strong pull of desire, but you never gave in so I could be saved from hell’s fire.
You saw all sin’s gunk from day one of my salvation, but you loved me enough not to allow sin to become stagnation. And yes, you knew the extraction would be painful, but you are The Great Physician, and for that, I am thankful. Because a troubled heart keeps my brow furrowed, and in need of healing and repair, so you came to deliver me and answer my prayers.
In addition, I am never left alone in the dark because you planted the Holy Spirit securely in my heart. He is my constant companion, encouraging me to look to Jesus in my weakness and rest in His completeness. He comforts me when I need Him to, so thank you, Jesus, for all that you do.
Brow Makeovers Begin in the Furnace of Affliction
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Thankfully, Jesus, you pray my faith will not fail, for this is the only reason, like Peter, I have not bailed. Indeed, on most days, I feel like an ugly mess, but your Word promises God’s not finished with me yet. But I must understand that faith is perfected in the furnace of affliction, and only God knows when it’s time for the benediction.
It is true, my beloved child, that I want a relationship with you where you depend entirely on me in all that you do. The goal is to look more like Jesus, so I will not tarry until you surrender control and the burdens you carry.
Lord, I do want to see your life reflected in me, but when the trial flames are stoked hotter and hotter, I find myself trying to crawl off the altar. My brows are singing, so help me look at you, not the fire, until you remove these sinful desires. I could never imagine all that was there, but you knew and deeply cared. So, you turned up the heat and loved me enough not to allow my retreat.
Likewise, dear reader, the fiery trial you are going through is meant to purify and transform you until God sees the Lord Jesus come into view. Thus, trust that God is good and knows what is best, and He will enable you to pass all the tests.
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10
Perspective for the Troubled Heart
In this, you greatly rejoice, though now, for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7
Faith is of greater worth than gold refined in the fire, so God brings trials to prove your faith is genuine and inspired. Hence, it is essential to return to the gospel ABCs and never forget them, lest the enemy cause doubt and unnecessary mayhem. So, let’s rehearse them once again.
God forgives you because His only Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross to wipe your sin slate clean, so on this promise, you must lean. Therefore, don’t allow Satan, your foe, to condemn or shame you because the wages for all your sins have been paid in full.
Furthermore, believe God’s promises, and never forget that on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead so believers would no longer fear dread. Subsequently, Jesus showed himself alive to many for over a month to prove that He is God, alive and triumphant. Jesus then left earth for heaven, and thankfully, He sent the Holy Spirit to overcome sin’s leaven.
Thus, never stop seeking Christ in your struggle against sin because though you may wait, Jesus is never late, and He always wins. So, keep this in mind while running the race God has marked out for you because your perseverance will prove your faith to be true.
The Troubled Heart Surrenders
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
I do not want to be tossed to and fro by the pounding waves of a troubled heart any longer, and only by trusting you can I get stronger. So, I surrender, Lord Jesus, my eyes are on you, who alone has the power to make me brand new. Accordingly, I give you my frustrations, worries, and anger, too, because Jesus, I would rather have you. And when I allow you to be in charge, the mountains ahead no longer seem so large.
When you remind me that I am not alone, every stumbling block becomes a stepping stone. Indeed, I fully believe you designed this trial for my good, and although I am deficient, I believe your grace is sufficient. So, I praise you for taking the time to transform me so that one day, your Son, Jesus, is all you will see reflected in me.
I will not neglect so great a salvation, not one minute more, because living without your power has been a real chore. So, here I am, Lord, without any plea except that you continue your holy work in me. Indeed, from the outset, this trial proved too much for human energy, but praise God, nothing is too hard for thee!
God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. Genesis 41:52
Ode to the Troubled Heart with a Furrowed Brow
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19
I proclaim this ode whenever a furrowed brow appears, as it reminds me to keep my Savior near. One day, God will finish my story and take me to glory. So, until I see Jesus face to face, help me, Lord, to walk by faith in your grace.
Indeed, life is filled with difficulties that make the journey rough, and we wish for a smoother road when we’ve had enough. But take heart, fellow pilgrim! God is close to the humble and hears when you call, so look to Him in your troubles, and He will deliver you from them all.
Jesus wants to see His reflection in you, so He will allow the discomfort for as long as it takes because He is the author and perfector of your faith. But remember, suffering always has an expiration date because nothing is ever left to fate.
To God be the glory. Amen.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14
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Look up the Bible verses for further understanding of suffering and trials from God’s Perspective.
Week 1: Genesis 41:51-52; Joshua 1:9; Job 1:1-22; 2:9-10; 5:17; 23:10; Psalms 25:1-22; 27:13-14; 32:1-11; 34:1-22; 40:1-17; 43:5; 46:1-11; 51:1-10, 17; 55:17, 22; 56:3-4, 8; 62:1-2, 5-8; 73:23-26; 77:1-20; 84:1-12; 91:1-16; 92:12-15; 95:1-11; 107:1-43; 119:25-28, 33-37; 49-50, 67-68, 71, 76, 89-92, 105-107, 132-133, 137-144, 147, 153-154, 176
Week 2: Psalms 119:153-154, 160, 169-170, 176; 121:1-8; 123:1-2; 130:1-6; 139:1-18, 23-24; Proverbs 3:5-7, 11-12; 4:20-27; 16:9, 20, 32; 17:3; 18:10; Isaiah 30:18-21; 40:6-8, 10-11, 25-31; 41:10, 13; 43:18, 25; 48:10-11; 49:13; 53:1-12; 55:1-2, 6-11; Lamentations 3:19-40, 55-57; Matthew 5:1-6; 7:7-12; 8:23-27; 11:28-30; Mark 11:24-25
Week 3: Luke 13:1-5; 22:31-34; John 14:1, 27; 15:1-8; Acts 14:21-22; Romans 4:18-25; 5:1-11; 7:7-25; 8:1-2, 18-39; 12:11-12; 15:4, 13; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; 9:24-25; 10:12-13; 15:56-58; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, 21-22; 4:7-18; 5:7-10, 15; 12:2-10; Galatians 2:20-21; 5:4-6, 16-25; Ephesians 2:1-10; 3:14-21; 6:10-20; Philippians 1:6, 29; 2:12-13; 3:3, 7-14, 20-21
Week 4: Philippians 4:4-7, 10-13, 19-20; Colossians 1:1-14; 2:6-15; 3:1-4; 2 Timothy 1:7; 3:16-17; Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-8; Hebrews 2:10-18; 4:12-16; 6:10-12; 10:8-25, 32-39; 11:1-6; 12:1-13; James 1:2-8, 12-18; 4:7-10; 5:7-21; 1 Peter 1:1-25; 2:20-25; 4:1-2, 12-19; 5:6-11; 1 John 1:8-10; 2:1-2; Jude 24-25; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:12-13, 17
