Do not let your heart be troubled

Do not let your hearts be troubled. 

More and more families are living paycheck to paycheck.   The middle class is eroding.   Inner-city problems are on the rise.   The divorce rate remains at about 40 percent.   Four in ten Americans will be diagnosed with some form of cancer at some point.

That sure sounds like a mountain of trouble, doesn’t it?   Yet today’s Gospel tells us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”.

When Jesus said these words, his own mind was consumed with trouble.   He knew that in the next twenty-four hours, he was going to face humiliation, pain, and death on a cross.   It must have been an awful moment for Jesus.

Isn’t it amazing, then, that Jesus could even think to tell his apostles, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”?

So what can we conclude?   First, everyone faces some sort of trouble in their lives, not just us.   Things won’t always go right, and we will feel grief, sadness, and pain.   In short, our hearts will be troubled.

But there is good news.   Jesus knows our troubles because he faced similar temptations and similar troubles in his own life.   That’s why he is able to sympathize with us.   That’s why he is able to help us.

Second, in the midst of our troubles, Jesus wants to tell us that he is always with us.   The psalmist tells us that there will be times when we will have to walk through some dark valleys, but that whenever we do, God will be with us, comforting us and giving us the courage to make it through.

In Scripture is perhaps the most comforting word .   It can become a stronghold of safety and reassurance for each of us. So keep repeating Jesus’ words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.   You have faith in God; have faith also in me” .   Let these words convince you of who you are and what you believe.   Let it fill you with God’s peace. You never have to face anything alone!

word among us