Scripture: John 14:1-7

Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I’m going.”

Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”

Consider:

In the midst of the hardest, most difficult point in Jesus’ life, he found himself doing what he always did - offering comfort and hope to the disciples who were both confused and scared.

As adults, we sometimes find ourselves in the position of pushing down our own fears, hurts, and worries in order to bolster or support someone who is not equipped to wrestle with the emotional burden which unfolding events force upon them. Whether its death, unexpected loss, broken relationships, or high levels of stress - we grown-ups have found all kinds of ways to mask or hide pain. The root of most of our destructive behavior is this kind of pain avoidance - which ironically leads to even more pain and destruction and loss.

Instead, Jesus here models a healtheir way to help others who are in stressful or harmful circumstances. This verse isn't a dismissive "don't worry, be happy" sentiment. Jesus has just told his friends he is leaving, and he has predicted Peter’s denial. The "trouble" is real. However, Jesus offers a shift in focus—not from the problem to a solution, but from the problem to a purpose.

Their fears are not dismissed, but instead turned towards the person of Jesus, recentering them in the truth momentarily forgotten - Jesus offers comfort and peace in the midst of the very real storm.

We too are invited to look at the character of Jesus. If we want to know what God is doing in our mess, we look at how Jesus treated the messy people around Him.

We may not see the “Father’s house” clearly yet, but we see the One who is building it. Faith, then, is the quiet confidence that even when we don’t know the way, we are known by the one who is the Way.

Respond:

How do you respond to stress? Whenever you begin to feel overwhelmed or pushing stress away, practice being aware in the present moment. Do these five steps:

Notice five things that you can see.

Notice four things that you can feel.

Notice three things that you can hear.

Notice two things that you can smell.

Notice one thing that you can taste.

This exercise helps to ground you in the present, so you don’t avoid hard feelings but can address them in a healthier way.

Pray:

God of Time and Truth, sometimes my mind is racing and the fog is thick. I confess I’ve tried to control what I cannot see. Calm the "check-engine light" of my body and quiet my anxious heart. Remind me that even when I lose the way, I am held by the Way. Amen.

These posts will always be free, however, if you find them meaningful and would like to consider supporting our online outreach, you can donate using this link.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wfpc.substack.com