Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

John 14:1; John 16:33

I talked with someone last week who was very nervous about today. She starts a new job this morning. While that's very exciting, there's also some anxiety that's a natural part of that change. There are new people to meet and hope that personalities click. There are tasks to learn and hope that you can do them well.

In John 13-17, Jesus is giving a charge to His disciples. These messages may not have been given that the same time (i.e., Jn 14:31 where Jesus says let's leave but then keeps talking), but they have the same message and context. Jesus is about to be crucified and He wants to give His followers some last minute encouragement. They are about to have a lot to be nervous about.

I want to draw you attention to something He says early in these chapters and two things He says later.

First, in 14:1, Jesus says "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me." Immediately after that, He explains the big picture--I'm coming back for you.

Second, in 16:33, which is the end of His speech to the disciples, He says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Not "I'm going to make everything rosy for you." In fact, Jesus says, you will have troubles. But again, back to the big picture--I'm coming back for you.

Finally, in chapter 17, Jesus prays for Himself, for the disciples with Him, and for all believers. He covers the situation in prayer.

As you're facing situations that make you nervous, uncertain, or anxious, remember this. Trust in God. You'll have troubles, but Jesus has overcome everything around you. Cover the situation in prayer.

Peace, Perfect Peace

A couple of Sundays ago, the church that I attend sang the hymn "Peace, Perfect Peace." As we sang, I couldn't help but think about this blog, particularly during the second and last verses. Think about this during your work week:

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call us to heaven's perfect peace.

Googling the name of the song brings up several versions that you can listen to. Do that this morning and start your day thinking about the peace of Jesus. What was true in 1875 when this song was written is true today.

You Think You Have It Bad?

Habakkuk is an interesting prophet. Besides having a name that's fun to spell, he really had a rough life. He was a farmer, and he complained to God that his livelihood was failing (3:17-18). No fig buds. No grapes. No olives. The fields produce no food. No sheep or cattle. Everything is going down hill.

Maybe that's how things are going where you work. Losing accounts. Less profitability. Being audited. Facing layoffs. Increased competition.

Look at Habakkuk's response in verse 18: "yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God, my Savior."

Your response when things go bad says a lot about your faith. It's easier to honor God when things go well than it is to honor Him when things seem at their worst. But true faith doesn't depend on circumstances.

Peace

What are you worried about right now? Is it a major project? A potential promotion? Are you worried that your boss could explode at you at any minute for no reason? Is your workplace talking layoffs?

There's a lot of issues that cause people anxiety in their work. We think about those things, obsess about them, lay awake at night wondering. Sometimes, creative ideas come from those ruminations, but that's the exception, not the rule. Maybe that's why Jesus emphasizes peace and freedom from worry so much. In Matthew 6:25, He says "do not worry." In John 14:27, He says, "My peace I leave with you." Earlier in that chapter, He says "let know your heart be troubled" (verse 1). Peter tells his readers to "cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (5:7).

There were probably few things that were more frightening to fishers like Peter and John than a fierce squall. Winds on the Sea of Galilee could come out of nowhere and be very dangerous to any boats caught out on the waters. So the storm described in Mark 4:35-41 must have been terrifying. Yet Jesus had the peace to be asleep in the back of the boat. When these desperate men awoke Him, He said to the storm "Peace be still" (verse 39). The Bible says that the disciples were amazed that "even the wind and the waves obey Him" (verse 41).

If the winds and waves of their lives obeyed Jesus, don't you think the wind and waves in your workplace will obey Him as well? The same One who says "Don't worry" in Matthew 6 created the earth in Genesis 1 and still commands it in Mark 4.

That doesn't mean everything always works out perfectly at work. Your project may not succeed. You may miss out on the promotion. Your boss might explode at you for no reason, or you might be laid off. It's easy to be at peace when everything is working out for you. But even when the wind and waves are at their worst, Jesus says "focus on Me, I am the peace."

Don't Worry

Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-34

There's a lot to worry about. The economy is terrible, despite rumors from experts that it's improving. Business is tight, and personal expenses are ever-increasing. It's a lot. Not to mention health and family concerns. Have you felt weighed down? Has not getting a promotion or raise been worrying you? What about dealing with that new boss or that irritating customer? Matthew 6 has some encouraging words, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" If God takes care of birds and flowers, will He not take care of you? That doesn't mean everything is going to be just like you want it, but it does mean that He is there, loving you.

Verse 27 has a more practical thought: "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Does worrying really make life better? Does it make the problems go away? Or, instead, does it make your life more miserable?

But this idea of trusting God and not worrying comes with an important caveat. Look at the context before and after the passage (in both Matthew and Luke). Before Jesus says don't worry, He explains that we cannot serve both God and greed--we have to choose. After encouraging us not to worry, Jesus says instead of worrying to seek first God's kingdom. Before and after telling us not to worry, Jesus tells us that we have to be seeking God first. That's the key to not worrying. If we are seeking God, whether at work or home or anywhere else, then we can not worry about everything else.