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Have you ever found yourself worrying about something? Obviously, this is a silly question, right? Of course, we’ve dealt with feeling worried about a situation with something or someone at least once in our lives.

When I was a kid, one of the most worrisome things I ever had to face was going on roller coasters. Regardless of my love for them now, back then in the old 2017, my twelve-year-old self could barely handle the idea of being on a roller coaster. It did nothing but make me worry and feel anxious.

Although it may not be about something as trivial as roller coasters, many of us, if we're being honest, have or are still facing situations or circumstances that tempt us to be worried about them. Whether it’s something about your kids, relationships with significant others, family, work, etc., things aren’t going the way you anticipated or desire for them to go, and this can cause us as humans to worry. The uncertainty of these situations leads us to believe a lie: that worrying and fretting over whatever is not going right is the only rational action to take.

However, in John 14, in the midst of uncertainty and even undesirable circumstances, Jesus gave His disciples a simple command as they were getting ready to face circumstances that would cause them to want to worry: “Let not your heart be troubled.” If you remember the scene, it's the Last Supper.

Jesus just proclaimed to Peter that he will deny Him three times before morning. He revealed that someone will betray Him and has said that where He is about to go, they, as His disciples, can’t follow Him. This is no doubt a scene that would cause worry to spark in the hearts of His disciples, and yet Jesus simply commands them to “let not your heart be troubled”—but to believe in Him as God just as they believe in the Father. Instead of doing what felt natural to do—worry—they were to do the opposite - Trust. Even in the midst of uncertainty and fear, Jesus calls them to not be troubled in their hearts, but to believe and rely on Him.

Often in our own lives, even as Christians, we can forget this scriptural command when we face difficult, uncertain times. When you get unjustly fired, overlooked for a promotion, face an unexpected severance of a relationship, etc., the first thing that seems to flood our hearts and minds on what to do is worry. “What could I have done better?” “Did I do something to bring this upon me?” “If only”… and on we could go.

However, in the midst of these undesirable and even scary circumstances that can cause worry, Jesus says that we as His followers don’t have to let our hearts be troubled. Why? Not because what's taking place isn’t a big deal, or that it’s all gonna get fixed the way we think it needs to be, but because of who Jesus is. Jesus is worthy of being trusted in the most worrisome times. Although He does not promise a life without trouble, He promises to be sufficient through them. Regardless of worry feeling like the natural response to difficult circumstances, let us as followers of Jesus recognize that, due to our sufficient Savior, we don't need to let our hearts be troubled.

Serving Together,

Bro. Luke