If you’re like most humans, most of your emotions are connected to five “f words”: family, friends, finances, fitness (physical health), and faith. When something goes wrong in one or more of those five areas—a sick father, a stressed friendship, an unexpected car repair, breast cancer, a struggle with trusting God—it’s easy for joy to move out and trouble to take up residence in your heart.
This is why Jesus looks you in the eyes and says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1). “You believe in God,” Jesus reminds us. “You aren’t atheists. You believe that God exists, that God cares, that God controls all things. You aren’t unbelievers who have to sit around and hope it gets better. No, you believe in God; believe also in me.”
The phrase Jesus uses here in the original Greek of the Bible is interesting. The word “in” from “believe in” has the idea of direction, like you’re looking toward or at something. Jesus is saying, “You are people of faith, people who believe in God.” So turn toward him. Look at him. Put your attention in his “direction.”
In this world you will have many troubles, even with those five words that mean the world to you. When trouble comes, don’t just sit there and take it. Instead, look in Jesus’ direction and take heart, remembering that Jesus has overcome the world, your troubles included.
