Let not your heart be troubled

John 14:1-3

1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The apostles did not understand at this point what was happening.

They didn't understand why Jesus was going to die and leave them.

So many times, in life we do not understand what we are going through.

We don't understand why we have the trials we go through.

At those times, we need this same advice from Jesus.

He says to us, just like He did the apostles, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

Trust in Jesus that what we are going through here is temporary.

It will not last, it will change.

Do not let temporary circumstances, sadness, and depression, things of that nature, drive you to make permanent decisions.

Yes, our hearts will be heavy at times, we will have true grief and sorrow that is extremely hard to endure.

But these are temporary and a part of this life.

Even for Christians, we do not get to escape these hard times.

At these times, we must focus on Jesus and the promise to come.

Notice what He has told us in verses 2 and 3.

He has gone to prepare a place for us, and He will return to bring us to that home.

Our home with the Lord.

There we will be eternally with God.

There will be no sadness, no tears, no pain, just the wonder and awe of being with the Lord.

That is the promise to come, but what about now?

Understand that we are not alone here, God has not abandoned His children.

Especially in the difficult times.

See this verse of encouragement from God to His people.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

This verse is for you, just as much as it was for Israel, or any person following the Lord.

Fear not, God is with you.

Do not be dismayed or bewildered or surprised, these things happen in this life.

Don't look away from the Lord, look to Him.

Our God, Your God, is there and He will help and strengthen you through every trial.

He will carry you through every problem, just trust in Him.

Do not let your heart be troubled, focus on the Lord and His promise.

Then comes the hard part.

Do what you can to help your situation but then focus on the work God expects of us.

Look to help others, see their plight, their troubles and trials.

Have compassion on them and help them.

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Ultimately, our life is not so much about us, as it is about what we do for others.

To the world it sounds backwards and unprofitable.

But the best life, the Christian life, is a life of service focused on helping others and furthering God's kingdom.

This life brings true joy and contentment, even in the hard times.