Friends,

We’ve all had a troubled heart before. Maybe you do right now? Even Jesus did. In John 12:27 He says, “Now My heart is troubled.” None of us are immune from life’s troubles. In John 16:33 Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles.” More are coming. Prepare. How do we deal with a troubled heart? John 14 is a great passage for that. I want to share a few thoughts from verse 1, which says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.”

This verse indicates that we have a part to play. We are to “not let.” If that was impossible Jesus would never command it. It’s possible then to “not let your heart be troubled.” Maybe it means not watching the news? The word troubled means a “stormy sea.” Is there a storm in your life right now? What can you do?

Trust God. Believe in His ability. Hang on tightly to Him. Jesus was talking to men with troubled hearts. He could see it on their faces. He had just told them they couldn’t go where He was going. He told Peter he would soon deny Him. One of them would betray Him. They’d all run and hide in Jesus’ darkest moment. They were disappointed that He wasn’t going to defeat the Romans and put them in charge. And if He died, what would happen to them?

We all feel similar when circumstances don’t go our way. Maybe we try and ignore it, just pretend all is well. Or we escape into more work, or more TV or more alcohol. Or moan and grown and trouble everyone else’s heart. Or trust God through the trouble. Job did. He said, “Though He slay me still will I trust Him.” Right now, with the uncertainty in our country over the election, we must not let our hearts be troubled but trust God.

Pastor Ed