John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
In John Chapter 13, Jesus gave His disciples shocking news. He informed them that He would be betrayed by one of their closest friends. Additionally, He would soon leave them and go where they couldn’t follow.
To add to that, they heard Jesus tell Simon Peter that He knew Peter was going to deny knowing Him three times. Talk about a lot of upsetting information. After all of that, Jesus said, “But don’t be troubled. Trust me.” Wow! The disciples probably thought they had every reason to be unsettled.
The fact of the matter is that we need to memorize John 14:1. We need to walk with it in our hearts and minds daily. This world is full of extremely troubling and challenging things. It can undoubtedly throw us for a significant loop if we don’t place all of our trust in Jesus. He always understood His disciples. They would question everything they’d heard and seen during their three years with Him when they saw Him brutally murdered and laid in the tomb. Where were they to put their hope and trust amidst that distress? In Jesus!
Give It To Him
At times, I have struggled quite a bit with anxiety. I easily stress over this and that. And my heart is troubled by the cares and worries of this world. Thoughts of parenting, money, health, politics, the future, insecurities…all of it can send me spiraling. Without even realizing it, I’ve walked around tensed up and irritable. Together with all of that, I’ve also felt physically ill while trying to hold in my fears.
When that has happened, the Lord directed me. He brought me back to the realization that I am trying to carry all of the burdens of a situation on my shoulders. I should give my stresses to Him. In those moments, I need reminding. His Spirit of truth says that even in the middle of my troubling and confusing circumstances, Jesus is in control.
More than anything else, I can fully trust Him. Along with that, I need to remember that Jesus is my stronghold (Psalm 9:9-10). Not only has He dealt bountifully with me in His steadfast love (Psalm 13:5-6), but He treasures me (Matt. 10:29-31).
Grace and peace,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor