In the midst of all the uncertainties of life, where do you turn for hope, comfort and assurance? Life has always been filled with uncertainty, but it seems this has become more of a reality in recent days. We could make the assertion that the only certainty in life is that nothing is certain.

Living in such a state of uncertainty can cause all kinds of problems – emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. For example, in our present Covid-19 crisis, many in self-imposed isolation are experiencing serious health issues which are caused by being isolated, but not caused directly by the virus. Just read statements on social media and you will quickly see the despair and discouragement so many are experiencing because of their isolation. Some have had no physical contact with another human being in weeks. For many, the only means of communication available is the use of social media, or telephone, or Skype, or some other form of ‘touchless’ means.

Might I suggest a possible solution to some of our fears and concerns? Admittedly, the following remarks and insights will only apply to those who have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. But, for those of us who are sincere followers of Jesus, the following should bring a great deal of hope, comfort and assurance.

Let’s consider a conversation between Jesus and His disciples on the night of Jesus’ betrayal, the night that would cause the disciples to question everything they had believed about Jesus:

“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way to where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

This conversation took place only hours before Judas betrayed Jesus; just hours before Jesus was falsely accused, viciously attacked, and violently killed. It would usher in the most devastating experience of the disciples’ lives. They would be left reeling in the aftermath of Jesus’ death. They would desperately need to constantly remind themselves of these words of our Lord spoken in the midst of their despair.

What has rocked your world? What is it that has literally turned your world upside down? Try, for a moment, to put yourself in the garden with Jesus and His disciples as He made this statement. Try to envision yourself there, as Judas comes into the garden leading those who would arrest Jesus. Try to place yourself in the locked room with those disciples over the next days in the aftermath of Jesus’ death. Can you imagine the overwhelming crush of despair and hopelessness they must have been experiencing?

Now, bring your mind back to that event, that experience which has recently rocked your world. It may seem to you to be the absolute worst thing that could have happened. I am confident that is exactly how the disciples felt. Their Lord has been killed; their hopes have been destroyed; their lives have been ruined. How would they ever recover?

And you may be asking the same questions in the wake of your recent experience. How will you ever recover from the devastation of your recent hurt? I would suggest we remember the words of Jesus to His disciples on what would prove to be the worst day of their lives: “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.”

Jesus promises comfort to anyone and everyone who will place their hope and trust in Him. Yes, life is filled with uncertainties, and many times when we experience one of those uncertainties we are left dazed, perplexed, wondering if we will ever be able to pull through. Remember, the disciples experienced the most devastating loss anyone could ever possibly imagine. And what was the ultimate result? After they experienced the power of Jesus’ resurrection, they turned the world upside down for the cause of their risen Lord.

So, don’t let your heart be troubled. Let the presence of the living Lord give you comfort, hope, and assurance in the midst of your present state of loss, and let the promise of the Lord give you confidence that the best is yet to come. Look above and beyond the present state of uncertainty, and look by faith to the One who sovereignly guides everything to that day when Jesus will come and call us to Himself in that beautiful place He has personally prepared for His disciples.