Troubled Waters

Troubled Waters

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God still, and trust in me.  there are many rooms in my Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you.” (John 14: 1 – 2).

In 1996, when I reflected on the above scripture, I wrote in my journal:
“This is a very appropriate scripture for my mood now.  My heart is troubled by many things.  Last night, I slept very little; my body was raked by fever and I was disturbed by mosquitoes.  Blessing informed me before I went to bed that there was nothing to eat in the house.  Money is running low.  The car is immobilized in the drive way.  I have no job.  Despite all these, Jesus is saying to me: “Do not let your heart be troubled.”  O Holy Spirit, how do I remain calm in these troubled waters?  If I trust Jesus, should I not trust his words?  If Jesus who sees my situation clearer than myself , tells me to be calm and not to worry, I should believe him.  I realize that there are two voices speaking to me at this moment:  the evil one trying to paint a lurid and hopeless picture of my situation and Jesus whose instructions are clear and simple – “Do not let your heart be troubled.  Trust in God still, and trust in me.”  Trust in God’s disposal of events.

As I reflect on the above journal entry in 2006, ten years later, I thank the Lord for his faithfulness.  I survived the hardship of the period.  On the other hand, I marveled that I am able to forget such incidents.  How much comfort I would have in troubled times if I remember such incidents?

O Holy Spirit, recall to my mind memories of God’s wonderful deeds in my life.