“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1
“Mrs. Snyder, your son has been taken to the hospital in an ambulance. He was hurt in a wrestling match at school.” I laid on the wrestling mat, with paramedics gently securing a backboard and neck brace on me. I was scared to death on the ride to the hospital. What had happened? I had just tried to take down my opponent and felt a sharp pain in my neck. The pain sent me to the mat. I was unable to hold my head up. Coach made me lie still and he held my head in place while we waited for the ambulance. At that point, I had no idea what the future was going to hold for me. No one would give me any indication of the extent of this injury. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was transferred to a gurney to wait for a doctor. I tried to rest, but believe me, my heart was troubled! I opened my eyes, and saw my pastor standing next to me. Now that put fear in my heart!! I thought maybe I was going to die!
I came through that injury okay, with only some pulled muscles. Life can sometimes be a pain in the neck! And often it can paralyze us, as we don’t know what to do, how to respond, how to deal with difficult times. Put yourself in the place of one of Jesus’ disciples. After spending three years following this man who calms storms and raised the dead, you are now trying to understand why he is telling you he must leave, and you don’t understand why, how, or what he means by he will return one day. What does the future now hold? It is interesting to me that Jesus does not really attempt to fully explain to them the depth of why, how and where. He does not address their minds. He addresses their hearts. Agitated hearts are calmed by trust and faith.
Life is so full of change. I think the only thing we can count on in life, is that it will change! Children grow up, different financial challenges face us with the different stages of life. Economics and political philosophies rise and fall. We spend more time worrying about the future and what might happen than we do focused on Christ. Turmoil in our lives and hearts dramatically affect our relationships with one another. Jesus says to trust. Trust in Him. Trust should bring peace to our hearts and to our lives. I know for me, when I get agitated about circumstances in my life, I have to remind myself that God is in control, and to rest in His ability. Look at the words of David in Psalm 5:12:
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Reflection:
Look up the word trust in a dictionary. What does it mean?
What is the reality level of my trust in God?
Why does my heart have difficulty trusting Him? What past experience with God or with others has hindered my ability to trust?
Prayer:
Father, surround me with your favor. Show me where trust has been fractured in my life. I commit myself today to trusting you and allowing that trust to calm my heart. Amen
