Why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Luke 24:38-39

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself…

This is the same question that rings throughout the ages—why are you troubled? It is only I! Why are you afraid? When Jesus came into the room where the disciples were assembled, He said, “Peace be unto you.” And because they did not fully understand yet that Christ would rise again, they were affrighted at His appearance, and thought they had seen an apparition of sorts. They stared at Him with open mouth and fixated eye. “Who is this?”they thought. They were slow of heart to believe. But Jesus calmed them in His characteristic way, and asked them, “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” Why are you afraid? What need is there to be scared? You see, it was the Lord. He said, “It is I myself!” “Handle me and see!” The Savior’s wounds would be evident to them, and would show His identity. They had no reason to fear.

Now, my dear friend, do we not also have no reason to fear whatsoever? It is only the Lord that is standing before us. It is He that is leading and guiding; it is He whose presence goes with us, and who said He would be with us unto the end of the world. We have no reason to be concerned, worried, stressed, or afraid. Just as He had promised His disciples that He would rise again, so He promised us that by His Holy Spirit He would go with us. Let not your heart be troubled! Be not afraid! It is He! Why do thoughts arise in your heart? Know that it is the Lord. There is never a need for worry or fear. Do not let the thoughts arise. Quell them and displace them with the presence of the Lord. He will dispel troubling thoughts. May the Lord give us peace and calmness with this reminder.

“Dear Lord, we praise you for the promise of your presence. May we never give way to troubling thoughts and fear. May your presence give constant and enduring peace. For we know your presence is always there. We thank you for the comfort that this brings. You have not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind. That sound mind comes only from meditating on your presence! May we find peace, comfort, and encouragement in your presence this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”