The Perfect Solution for Anxiety

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)

Ever experienced a heart that was stirred with agitation? More than likely, Jesus looked into the faces of His disciples and saw anxiety heavy in their eyes. Our Lord, who sees the unrevealed sorrows and wounds that bleed inwardly, would certainly not have missed the many things troubling His disciples at this point. Jesus had just told them of His imminent departure which would occur with immense suffering. He had told them that one of their own would be a traitor and that Peter himself would deny Him three times. Jesus would be leaving them and they could not come with Him. He was their leader–He was the one in whom they placed their hope. He was the One who was to deliver Israel! The weight of all these recent revelations must have greatly pressed upon them leaving them downtrodden and depressed and feeling quite deserted and exposed.

In our verses for today, our Lord prescribes a sure and precious remedy for the disease of a troubled heart: Trust–both in God and in the Son. Trust used here means to be persuaded in the truthfulness of and to have total confidence in and reliance upon. Our trust in God and our Lord Jesus turns our troubled hearts into comforted ones, keeping us freed from the stirred agitation that confidence in our own abilities brings.

In the midst of our anxiety, we are not to be like the troubled sea when it cannot rest. Scripture encourages us with these words:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

The Great Shepherd, always knowing the condition of His sheep, sweetly begins to speak in their ears these wonderful words of encouragement–rich in precious truth:

“In my Father’s house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

These words are certainly just as true for every believer in Christ as they were when they were first spoken to Jesus’ disciples. He would indeed be going, but in His going He would be preparing a place for them (and for us) so that we all may always and forever be where He is. Our assurance is built on the veracity of our Lord’s word as well as the sincere love and affection He has for all who follow Him.

It is important for us to remember that we are only travelers here–earth is not our home, heaven is! That is the promise of Scripture. Heaven is a house–not a tabernacle. Heaven is the Father’s house–my Father’s house, your Father’s house. It is a place of mansions–lasting, eternal, and permanent. A place where we will be settled–a place where we will be loved for our own sakes–not for our gifts or possessions. A place where we are always welcomed.

Heaven is a place where Christ is continually present. He will be in our midst forever. Christ is our reason for peace and our power for a calm and steadfast heart.

Take It to Heart

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

All true believers are welcome to this happiness. There are rooms in heaven, durable and lasting. Our estate is not for years, but rather for eternity. Jesus is not preparing our lodging in order for it to stand empty; neither are His preparations in vain. As He is preparing the place, He is also preparing the servant, so that in due time we will be put in possession of it.