How to Overcome the Faltering of Heart in the Uncertainties of Life

How to Overcome the Faltering of Heart in the Uncertainties of Life

John 14:1-11 

How would you feel if you were one if the disciples on Jesus' last night? The disciples did not know what Jesus was really talking about. 

Jesus found his disciples, and these same disciples left their professions to follow Jesus for three years. Not only did Jesus lead them, he loved them and took care of them. Some of the disciples were opportunists (see John 6), but others were sincere. The disciples who stayed with Jesus until now trusted and relied on Him. 

That evening Jesus reveals that he is going to leave His disciples. There had been many threats against Jesus by many people, and it was dawning on the disciples that Jesus would be removed violently. The disciples were worried and filled with fear. Who was going to take care of them and protect them after Jesus left? 

There are many threats against us at different stages. At sometime in our life, our livelihoods, health or very existence will be threatened. If not you, it may be someone who is close to you who is being threatened. Our prayers may request that these threats be removed, yet that prayer is unrealistic. So, how do we overcome terror? 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 

John 14:1 ESV 

Jesus commands us to believe in Jesus. The disciples had been with Jesus for three years and followed Jesus. They had built up their faith in Jesus, but Jesus still commanded them to believe or put their trust in Jesus. 

Jesus commands them to actively believe in him. Jesus knows that they are worrying about their lives and future. Jesus wants them to build up their faith. When our lives or livelihood are threatened, our faith can be shaken. More likely our faith is shaken when difficult times come on us. These are the times we need to build up our faith. 

Jesus wants us to establish our relationship on him based on the facts of who Jesus is. These facts will keep us going on when our faith is shaken. These facts will hold up our faith when it is so hard to believe in Jesus. 

What is it that Jesus wants us to know about Him. 

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” 

John 14:2‭-‬4 ESV 

Focus on that which is ahead of you. Jesus is preparing an eternal life for us and He will return for us. As Jesus is preparing a room for you, he is watching over you and working with you. His presence is with us forever. Jesus was going to continually work with the disciples until they were home with Jesus. 

The difficult times are to remind us that we are not alone. Yes, when troubles come we need to plan and work out the problems, but Jesus is with us. We need to remind ourselves that Jesus has the power over life and death and is the God of plenty and lack. We can know in our hearts that Jesus is with us and working with us. 

It is also important to know that everything we go through is temporal. The threats we face will come and go, but heaven is eternal. The problems we face are temporal, and we should not fear our problems because Jesus is with us and those problems will be dealt with in time. These same problems are also a means to get us to heaven. Good times and bad times are to bring us closer to God and help us reflect on God and His character. 

Although the difficult times seemed to be the efforts of men, Jesus was in charge. It was all done for the glory of God. 

Let's us actively build up our faith in Jesus and remember who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He is preparing for us.