Hope for a Troubled Heart

By Jeff Cranston

Our age has been called the “age of anxiety.” Many of us have anxiety and fear about what’s coming next in our lives. This plaintive cry of society is best summed up by John Margolis, of the Chicago Tribune, who wrote, “I have seen the future and it doesn’t work.”

But is that how God wants us looking at our lives? To assume this deterministic, fatalistic, “woe-is-me, nothing-will-ever-be-good-again” philosophy? I don’t think so. And here’s why…

Read John 13. In this passage, the disciples had just heard some disturbing news from Jesus. First, Jesus had just announced that one of them would be a traitor. Second, Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him three times. Third, Jesus had notified them that He was going to leave them.

To the disciples, things were working out a lot differently than they thought, and now they are surrounded by doubts and fears. As far as the disciples could see, they were headed into a terrible storm.

With all of this in mind, we discover, however, that John 14 is a chapter of solutions. The disciples were looking for hope. And so are we. The basis for real hope in our lives is founded upon the fact that …

1.   Jesus Christ is completely trustworthy.

“Do not let not your heart be troubled …” – John 14:1, NASB. The world is filled with troubled, confused, hurting, fearful hearts. The truth is, every human heart craves an answer about tomorrow. The only difference is where people look for the answer. The answer can be found in Jesus. He is completely trustworthy and will bring you hope and heal your heart.

2.   Our future home in heaven is a promised reality.

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2, NASB. Jesus was going to prepare heaven for His children. He has already climbed through the dark tunnels of death and hell. He has ripped the stinger out of death and removed our obligation to hell. Our home in heaven is a promised reality! It is as real and trustworthy a destination as Jesus Christ is truly God.

3.   Our future is guaranteed permanently.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:3, NASB. Let’s not miss what is important—being with Jesus Christ. We are invited, not so much to a place, as to a Person. Your future is guaranteed permanently!

Do you have a troubled heart? Jesus has your answer, and He partially answers us by reminding us that we’re not home yet. Rejoice that your home in heaven is prepared and waiting and your future is guaranteed permanently.

Jeff Cranston is lead pastor at LowCountry Community Church, Bluffton, S.C.