Be not troubled

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"Be not troubled" By Diane Webb

John 14: 1—"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

Being troubled is having something that bothers you deeply. It affects everything you think, say, and do. One who is troubled often can't sleep, can't eat, and no longer does the things he enjoys. It's like there is something underneath just nagging at them. This is what the disciples apparently were experiencing in the Upper Room at the Last Supper. Jesus is speaking to them and is trying to comfort them. He has just informed Peter that he (Peter) will deny him (Jesus). He has already told them all he was going to be betrayed by one of them and clearly indicated it was Judas. Then Jesus goes on to tell them, "let not your heart be troubled". He tells them to believe in God is to believe in him. It's as if Jesus is letting them in on the bigger picture. He is trying to tell them God is still in control and not to worry. The disciples don't seem to get it. Although Jesus tells them what is going to take place, they are still confused. They do not want to accept Jesus will be leaving them. They totally missed what he had just told them about Judas. Peter denies he will deny. It doesn't seem like Jesus could talk any plainer yet the disciples don't understand. Perhaps they don't want to understand on some level. Maybe what they are hearing is so bad they can't face it. Maybe this is why Jesus is telling them not to be troubled. Jesus knows what is in their hearts in spite of the words they say. Have you ever been told something you just could not, would not accept? Has someone given you news you did not want to hear? Is God telling you something you are not quite getting? Have you pretended something is no big deal when, in fact, you are devastated on the inside? "Let not your heart be troubled" Jesus says. If the disciples had taken Jesus' words seriously and really heard what he was telling them, perhaps they would have been strong enough not to run away when Jesus was arrested. Jesus was not only their teacher, he was their friend. He loved them as friends and held them apart from all others. Jesus feels the same about us. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he prays for his disciples and he prays for us as well. In John 17: 20 he prays, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word". Did you know Jesus prayed for you personally? If you believe what the disciples wrote in the gospels then you are included in his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus loves you like he loved his disciples, his friends. With Jesus in your corner, there is never a need to be troubled. Talk to your friend today and listen to what he has to say. Listen to what he has been saying. Ask for understanding so you can have the strength you need not to run away. Remember, God is in control so don't worry!

Dear heavenly father, help me not to be confused so I don't miss what you are plainly saying to me. Help me see the truth no matter how painful it might seem. I ask this in the name of Jesus, your son, Amen.