Chapman University releases their “Survey of American Fears” each year. In their most recent polling, 48 percent of Americans said they were “afraid” or “very afraid” of the nation becoming involved in another world war. I imagine that has increased recently. About the same percentage said they worried about institutions tracking personal data. Only about 44 percent worried about identity theft, but “not having enough money for the future” keeps 49 percent of Americans up at night. Rising to the top ten for the first time since the study began: “economic/financial collapse.” Given the events of the last few years, it’s not surprising that the top five fears Americans reported included “corrupt government officials,” “a loved one contracting COVID,” and “widespread civil unrest.”
We’ve all felt anxiety over something that might happen, and we’ve known anger or grief over something that has happened. Sometimes those emotions can seem uncontrollable. What have you learned to do to regain control of your feelings? Do you count to ten, or take a walk, or listen to praise music, or exercise? Do you do “centering exercises” like focus on your breathing?
All good things. But I suggest we should reflect on the words of Jesus in John 14. He says in verse 1, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” Note the two words that begin the sentence: “Don’t let.” That implies that we can take the reins over our emotions. We don’t always have control of our circumstances, but we can control how we react to them. We have it within our power to untrouble our hearts.
Jesus goes on to remind us of three realities. If we’ll meditate on them, we’ll be comforted. He talks about his Father’s house (verses 1-4), his Father’s company (verses 5-11), and his Father’s mission (verses 12-14). Whenever you feel as if the walls are closing in and there’s no way out, these are things to remember.
Read John 14:1-14 now, and then let’s study it together this Sunday. Join us on campus or online at 10am!
--Tom
Tom Goodman serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter. If someone forwarded this email newsletter to you, sign up here to receive Tom’s weekly devotional in your email inbox.