Reflect today on whatever causes you the most anxiety, worry and fear in your life
Fear in your life. In John's Gospel, chapters 14-17 introduce us to what are referred to as Jesus' "Discourses of the Last Supper" or His "Final Discourses". It is a series of sermons given by our Lord to his disciples on the night he was arrested. These talks are deep and full of symbolic images. It speaks of the Holy Spirit, of the Advocate, of the vine and branches, of the hatred of the world, and these talks end with the Prayer of the High Priest of Jesus. These talks begin with today's gospel in which Jesus faces the impending fear , or troubled hearts, who knows that his disciples will experience.
Jesus told his disciples: “Don't let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith in me too. "John 14: 1
Let's start by considering this first line pronounced by Jesus above: "Don't let your hearts be troubled." This is a command. It's a gentle command, but a command nonetheless. Jesus knew that his disciples would soon see him arrested, wrongly accused, mocked, beaten and killed. He knew they would be overwhelmed by what they would soon experience, so he took the opportunity to gently and lovingly scold the fear they would soon face.
Fear can come from many different sources. Some fears are useful to us, such as the fear present in a dangerous situation. In this case, that fear can increase our awareness of the danger, so let's proceed with caution. But the fear Jesus was talking about here was of a different kind. It was a fear that could lead to irrational decisions, confusion and even despair. This was the kind of fear that our Lord wanted to gently rebuke.
Fear in your life, What is it that sometimes makes you fear?
What is it that sometimes makes you fear? Many people struggle with anxiety, worry, and fear for many different reasons. If this is something you struggle with, it is important that Jesus' words resonate in your mind and heart. The best way to overcome fear is to scold it at the source. Listen to Jesus saying to you: “Don't let your heart be troubled”. Then listen to His second command: “Have faith in God; have faith in me too. Faith in God is the cure for fear. When we have faith, we are under the control of God's voice. It is God's truth that guides us rather than the difficulty we are facing. Fear can lead to irrational thinking and irrational thinking can lead us deeper and deeper into confusion. Faith pierces the irrationality with which we are tempted and the truths that faith presents to us bring clarity and strength.
Reflect today on whatever causes you the most anxiety, worry and fear in your life. Allow to Jesus to talk to you, to call you to faith and to rebuke these problems softly but firmly. When you have faith in God, you can endure everything. Jesus endured the cross. Eventually the disciples bore their crosses. God wants to strengthen you too. Let me speak to you in order to overcome whatever is most troubling to your heart.
My loving shepherd, you know all things. You know my heart and the difficulties I face in life. Give me the courage I need, dear Lord, to face any temptation to fear with confidence and trust in You. Bring clarity to my mind and peace to my troubled heart. Jesus I believe in you.