Finding Peace For Troubled Hearts

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)

When I read this verse my first thought was about a line in the book The Lord of The Rings where the elf Galadriel welcomed the fellowship of the ring to Lothlorien. The fellowship had struggled mightily in their quest thus far and felt defeated. They were greeted by Galadriel with these exact words “Let not your hearts be troubled.” and then encouraged to rest their weary bodies.

Likewise Jesus ties his blessing of “peace” with this admonition to also “let not your hearts be troubled”. Yet, it’s often a troubled heart that prevents us from having peace and rest. It’s a troubled heart that keeps us awake during the watches of the night. It’s a troubled heart that either causes or is caused by a lack of peace in our lives.

In the very first verse of this chapter in John’s Gospel Jesus tells his disciples:

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (John 14:1 ESV)

It’s a troubled heart that demonstrates our need for Jesus and it’s in him that we find true peace.

How Do People Know You Follow Jesus?

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)

It’s interesting that near the end of his ministry, Jesus gives this command to his disciples. I think that this proximity shows the importance that Jesus placed on this command. People would know that the disciples were followers of Jesus because of the love that they had for others. I wonder if people would recognize me as a follower of Jesus for that reason. I fear that they wouldn’t.

If love for others is the badge of a Christian, does this mean that not showing love to others is a roundabout way of denying Jesus? Every moment that I don’t treat someone as Jesus would, my actions are telling the world that Jesus doesn’t matter much to me, regardless of what my lips might say.

Handling Disappointment With Grace

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30 ESV

I must admit, I don’t think I would make a very good John The Baptist. I mean John was really sacrificing for his faith. He was living in the desert. He was wearing terrible clothes and the food he had to eat was worse than awful. And after all that, another one comes after him and steals his followers.

Like John I worked hard at what I once thought was my calling. I taught Bible studies, I was at the church every time the doors were open, took a few seminary classes when I could and even filed in for our pastor on occasion. I felt sure that one day I would go on staff with a church somewhere.

But then it all went off the rails.

Unlike John the Baptist I couldn’t sit back and gracefully watch others be successful. I’d see others fulfilling the dream, their calling and have success in the ministries they worked at and this would make me resentful. I’d withdraw so I didn’t have to face my disappointment in myself and in God.

If I’d have been John I doubt I could have stepped aside and say “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I’d be angry with God arguing that my life in the desert, my uncomfortable clothing and my bug filled diet should have at least qualified me for something more.

But that’s why John has his honored place in the Gospels. He’s not like me. He knew what his role was and it wasn’t to lead a group of followers but instead it was to be “The voice of one crying in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:4 ESV).

We could probably all learn a lot from John. When others are successful and you’re overlooked are you happy for them? When a co-worker gets the promotion you wanted will you celebrate with them? Will you handle disappointment with grace?