Be not troubled

John 14 : 1 - 6

Let not your hearts be troubled.....

This passage is often read to comfort those who have lost loved ones. And it is a comfort, to know that the Lord has prepared a place for us where he will be. with us eternally.

However, it seems that we can also read this in times of desolation, when the outer events of our lives have led to a 'lostness' of the Lord. We are not able to sense his presence in people and situations and all seems dark and pointless.

Desolation is not a nice state to be in. And some of us are more easily drawn into such a condition, perhaps because the evil one uses our weak points to try us. In spiritual desolation, we just don't have the spiritual eyes and ears to see the "light" or the "way" ahead in a difficult situation. Everything seems lost, and God seems to have left us alone. And this situation seems so real when we are in it, that it is difficult to pull out of it, except to ask God's grace and mercy.

Sometimes, we have to just "believe" in God and his abiding presence, something our hearts do not "feel" at all. In fact it seems to go against all the "evidence" we have before us. To hang on, and "not let your hearts be troubled" is a spiritual task that is part of the journey of sanctification. At such times, we need others to come alongside us - not to give us cheery messages, not even to try to talk us out of the desolation, but first of all, to "listen". Sometimes, in the listening, as we begin to talk, and hear ourselves, grace enters.....and we "hear" the voice of God again. Sometimes, just being heard begins the healing process, a first step in a long-ish journey. But the "place" near God's heart is ready for us, always prepared for us to find rest.