Let not your heart be troubled

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

– – Jesus from John 14:1

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of the words of Jesus in times of difficulty and concern.  I find it helpful to repeat the words of Jesus to myself.

Let not your heart be troubled.  Let not your heart be troubled.  Let not your heart be troubled.

These words are spoken by Jesus at the opening of John 14.  Let’s look at the situation and then see how we can apply this to our lives today.

Jesus was speaking to His disciples.  In chapter 12, Jesus had predicted His imminent death.  In chapter 13, Jesus washed His disciples feet and then proceeded to tell them that one of them would betray Him and another would deny Him.

So, the opening of John 14 was an intensely troublesome time.  Jesus did not promise them that everything would be smooth sailing.  On the contrary, just a couple of chapters later, Jesus promised them that they would certainly have troubles.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The disciples faced certain and significant troubles.  We, too, often face certain and significant troubles.  How does Jesus tell them – and us – to respond?  Both verses above give essentially the same answer.

Jesus invites us to believe in Him, to trust in Him.  Jesus calls us to look to Him in times of trouble.  And Jesus promises to be with us in the midst of our troubles.

No matter what is going on in your life or what fears you may have over your future, Jesus invites you to “Believe in God, believe also in Me” and promises that “in me you may have peace”.  Let not your heart be troubled … because Jesus is with you.