Living Life in a Troublesome World:
Learning From Jesus
July 26, 2026
Over the past couple of weeks, we have noted that we live in a troubled world!! Satan is causing havoc in this world. We live in a troubled world as it seems like the world is on the brink of war. Economically, a large percentage of people in the US and around the world are struggling financially. Inflation has increased. Our national debt is out of control. Many societies are experiencing a rapid increase in the amount and severity of wickedness (Matthew 24:12; II Timothy 3:1-5). Violence, greed, corruption, fraud, lying, brutality, use of drugs, sexual immorality in many forms, and other sins are seemingly more accepted and commonplace than ever. The love of many has grown cold (Matthew 24:12) as 2 in 5 Americans cut ties with loved ones. Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, some 60 percent have cut ties with family members/loved ones. In many ways, we are living like the days of Noah (Genesis 6:5-8; Matthew 24:37).
There are often issues or trouble personally: trouble in one’s marriage or home life, trouble in your job. One might have financial troubles. There are often physical and/or emotional issues. So many people struggle with loneliness, grief, fear, worry, bitterness, anger, depression, or feeling unloved. People have issues with various addictions such as alcoholism, drugs, overeating, work, gambling, playing video games, sex or the like This is to name just a few. We all have troubles or issues. We struggle to be content, to have an inner peace, to be thankful in all circumstances, to rejoice in the Lord always.
In John 14-16, Jesus explains and tries to encourage his disciples in dealing with the grief of having to leave.
Scripture: John 14:1-3; John 16:33
A few hundred years ago two men were talking in France. The one asked the other what he did for a living. The man said that he kept his head, while all around him others were losing theirs. The inquiring man thinking that this sounded like a pretty good stress-free occupation asked his acquaintance what type of job that was. The man responded, “I operate a guillotine.”
I think all of us would like a stress-free, trouble-free life. Yet, life in this world is filled with trouble and disappointments. As Job 5:7 says, Man is born unto trouble. Jesus affirmed this. Yet he also instructed us how to overcome the world. So, this morning I want to highlight several key principles that our Lord Jesus Christ said to his stressed, troubled disciples. So, let’s look.
In John 13, Jesus had given them some shocking news. He informs his disciples that He is leaving to go somewhere else, without them. Jesus was not talking like the Messiah the disciples expected. He was talking about leaving and they were troubled.
So, in John 14:1a, Jesus tells his disciples. Do not let your hearts be troubled. He repeats this in verse 27, Do not let your hearts be troubled.
When people experience trouble, there are two ways one can view the trouble. The worldly, non-biblical view thinks, “This is not the way it should happen. God does not care.” As a result, people give into despair and doubt God’s goodness. They throw up their little fist and blame Almighty God. (Note Revelation 16.)
We need to replace the worldly perspective with a godly, Biblical view of trouble. Here are a few facts to know so you can see trouble from God’s point of view and stop looking at troubles from the world’s point of view.
Fact #1. We live in a fallen, evil, cursed world. As I say, we live in a sick, sinful, death stinking world.
Fact #2. God has chosen from the beginning to give all humans the freedom to act. We make bad decisions then must deal with the consequences. Sometimes we must live through the consequences of someone else’s evil decisions.
Fact #3. People are naturally sinful as they want their own way. Satan is also real and has influence on our natural world and the people in it. The devil entices people to rebel against God, and he causes bad things to happen.
Fact #4. God will allow trouble in your life to hopefully teach you and help you mature in Him. Scripture teaches that troubles can refine faith, build perseverance, and produce character (Note: Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4-PURE JOY). How you respond to the trial is critical!
After Jesus told his disciples that he was going away and they could not come, Peter challenged him and said, Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you. Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him 3 times (John 13:31-38). God allowed Satan to sift Peter (Luke 22:31).
Peter matured through his failure. Peter would later write in I Peter 1:6b, 7, Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Gold is refined by fire. Faith is refined by trials. The process is painful, sometimes extremely painful. The result is growing into the character of Christ. (Note the story of Job.)
So, please realize that the greatest qualities of Christian character are rarely developed during seasons of ease. For instance, patience is learned in waiting. Humility develops through disappointment. Compassion deepens through sorrow. Dependence on God flourishes only when we recognize our own weakness. Many of the virtues we most admire in mature Christians are precisely the qualities that suffering helps cultivate.
Principle 1: Put on a Biblical view of trouble! Then, take to heart that our Lord does not want you to feel troubled in this world! He wants to help you grow and mature. Remind yourself even in the trials of life: God is good, all the time!
In the rest of chapter 14, Jesus gives several key principles to deal with a troubled heart.
After Jesus told his disciples, Let not your hearts be troubled, he then told them in the second half of verse 1, You believe in God; believe also in me. Jesus tells his disciples to believe not only in God, but in the same way believe in Him.
I will come back to verses 2, 3, but in verses 4-11, Jesus clarifies his statement believe also in me as he converses with his disciples.
In verse 4, Jesus said, And you know the way where I am going. Jesus indicates that they should know where Jesus was going and how to get there. Jesus had repeatedly spoken of being lifted up, of being betrayed, of dying for the sins of humankind, and going to His Father.
Yet, verse 5, Thomas says to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How are we able to know the way?” Thomas and the other disciples did not understand that the Messiah was to be a Suffering Servant who would lay down his life for the sins of the world as described in Isaiah 53 or Daniel 9:24.
Verse 6, Jesus says to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Jesus again says, I Am! It is another claim to deity. I am the way! Jesus is the way to live and have eternal life. Jesus is the truth, not some other philosophy or religion Jesus is the guide to have abundant life in this world and eternal life in heaven! Because of sin, the entire human race is under the curse of eternal death, or separation from God.
John 10:7-10 states, So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus adds verse 6, No one comes to the Father except through Me. He is the only way to God. Peter underscored this fact in Acts 4:12, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus tries to convince and encourage his disciples with this as He says in verses 10, 11, Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
Jesus gives two reasons why to believe in Him--His words and his works. Jesus’ words/his teaching give evidence for being God incarnate. Let’s face it, his teaching is one of a kind. He also claimed to be God so either he was a liar, a lunatic, or he was the Lord. Jesus’ works also give evidence that He is the Lord. His miracles are amazing. The miracles are credible as eyewitnesses tell them. Of course, the historical fact of Jesus resurrection speaks volumes to who HE IS!
So as R.C. Sproul concludes, So either Jesus was right or He was wrong. If He was wrong, then Christianity has no validity at all. If He was right, then there is no other way.
Verse 7, If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.
Please note, three times in this one verse, Jesus uses the verb know. The word indicates an intimate personal relationship, not just cognitive knowledge. To know Jesus is not to know about Him, but to have a personal, loving relationship with Him.
Principle 2: The primary key to overcome a troubled heart is to believe, to know, to trust, to love Jesus! Believe/know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Two weeks ago, Habakkuk emphasized this as he wrote, The righteous one will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). Last week, we noted Psalm 91 as verse 2 states, I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
Faith, trust, belief, know, to love Jesus is the key to overcoming a troubled heart. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes this principle. The rest of principles for overcoming a troubled heart depend on this one.
John 14:2, 3 states, My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Jesus encouraged his disciples by stating to his disciples that there is going to be plenty of space in my Father’s house for you guys. I am thinking Jesus and his disciples stayed in places that there was limited space for everyone.
Then he tells them he is going to prepare a place for them, and he will be back to take them where He is.
Jesus is preparing heaven for each child of God. When a little baby is born, parents generally prepare a nursery for him or her. The parents will take their newborn child home and there will be a crib, a little silver rattle, pillows, stuffed animals, and pictures. Parents prepare a place for their newborn. Now if earthly parents would do that, how much more would our Heavenly Father prepare a place for us?
What has He prepared? May we realize that heaven is another realm of existence, another dimension. As Scripture notes in I Corinthians 15:42-44, The body is sown perishable but raised imperishable…It is sown a natural body but raised a spiritual body.
Revelation 21 notes, Heaven is a place with no more sorrow, crying, pain or death. Heaven is where the frustrations of life are replaced with unspeakable joy.
Many people are troubled because they don’t know what is going to happen in the future or when they die. The reality of our heavenly home can help guard us from heart trouble. No matter how bad things may be going in your life today, Jesus has promised you a glorious eternity.
Principle 3: If you want to overcome a troubled heart, focus on what is above, heaven, your true home. You have the assured hope of heaven!
The troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys that come will last forever. One passage that speaks to my heart and motivates me is I Corinthians 15:57, 58, But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (Also note II Corinthians 4:16-18; Colossians 3:1-4).
In verses 13, 14, Jesus gives another key, prayer! And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
We are not to pray for selfish desires, but according to God’s will. So, in prayer, we are to submit to God’s will and to ask Him to accomplish His will through us and through His people. He will work in your life and the lives of others as we go to him in prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 states, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Now obtaining peace takes some effort. Listen, you must take control over your emotions. Even Jesus had to wrestle to obtain it. Jesus was troubled as He saw Mary and other weeping over the death of Lazarus (John 11:33). Jesus processed the pain of seeing others grieve because of sin and death as he wept crying out to the Father.
Jesus also processed the pain of facing death on a cross and taking on the sins of humankind through prayer. Luke 22:42-46 states, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” And as Jesus indicated in Luke 11:1, Either we pray or we give up.
Principle 4: If you want to overcome a troubled heart then process your pain by going to the Lord in prayer and pray according to His will!
Jesus continues in verse 15, Jesus states, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Obedience to Jesus’ commandments is the evidence that we love Him! Keeping His commandments is so important that Jesus explains further in verse 21, Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. Then in verses 23, 24, he again stresses the importance of loving him and obeying His teaching. The one who loves Jesus and obeys will be loved by the Father.
Please note that obedience yields three benefits: God will love you; Jesus will reveal Himself to you; and you will enjoy a relationship with God that the world cannot know. You will grow to know Christ more intimately by obeying Him!
Jesus sets the example in obedience. He calmly went to Gethsemane and the cross because He knew that He was doing His Father’s will.
One key to following his example and being obedient is to love others. Jesus said in John 15:12, 13, My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends…v17, This is my command: Love each other. Loving others can be hard, extremely hard, but one needs to learn how Jesus would love and apply it to PEOPLE!
Here is a 5th principle. If you are going to overcome a troubled heart, then do God’s will. Love Jesus and keep His commandments. Learn to love others like Jesus!
If you know that you’re doing what God has commanded, then you can stand firm and be calm even during troubles of life. I have found if I am obedient to the Lord, I have inner peace. However, when I am not, peace disappears. I have learned that Jesus’ peace is the inner calm that comes from trusting Him and knowing that I am being obedient to him.
Here is a 6th principle I want to note. Know the extent of God’s love for you!
John 14:23 notes, Jesus said, Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Then in John 15:9, 14, 15, Jesus said, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Jesus also says in John 15: You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Then in John 16:27, Jesus said, The Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
If we are going to experience God’s peace and joy, then you need to know the abundance of God’s love. Paul prayed in Ephesians 3 that they would know the extent of God’s love. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul notes that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
A great theologian was being interviewed by a young preacher. And he asked this great theologian, ''Sir, would you give me, if you could, in a sentence, out of all of your study and your lifetime of experience, the greatest one truth, the most vital, most wonderful, truth of God’s word? The old theologian responded, “The greatest truth of all theology is simply, “Jesus loves me! This I know for the Bible tells me so. There is no greater truth!” As one knows the extent of His love (Ephesians 3), one can identify with 1 John 4:18b, Perfect love drives out fear.
Several times in John 14-16, Jesus speaks about sending a helper. In John 14:16-17 Jesus said, And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Jesus also said in John 14:25-26, But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The term Advocate from the Greek means one who consoles or comforts, one who encourages or uplifts; and/or one who intercedes on our behalf as an advocate/counselor in court. The Spirit will live with you and be in you.
Jesus also refers to the Advocate, the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of what Jesus said. The Holy Spirit helps us to learn and be saturated in knowing God’s word. When we allow the word of Christ to dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16), God’s Holy Spirit comforts us and gives us a peace.
Jesus continued to teach and encourage his disciples in John 15 and 16. He said to them in John 16:7, 8, Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Jesus once again repeats that he is going to send the Advocate. This was the best thing that could happen to them. Why was it better to have the Advocate come than to have Jesus around? It is because the Holy Spirit would not only be with them as Jesus had been, but the Spirit would be in them as well.
The disciples were caught up in their own sorrow and their own perspective of the Messiah. Of course, their perspective changed when they saw and experienced the resurrected Jesus! Then after Jesus’ ascension they experienced on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fill them and empower them as they spoke of Jesus death and resurrection. Acts 2 notes on what happened. After Peter preached, the people were cut to the heart, Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:38, 39).
Once you receive and wholeheartedly believe in Jesus, you are born again of the Spirit. You experience God’s peace. The Holy Spirit begins to work in your life. As you abide in Christ (John 15), live in the Spirit, keep in step with the Holy Spirit, you produce the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25 states, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer in Christ. Yet, many are not accessing/abiding in Him. Luke 11:13 states, If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Here is the last principle. Ask, seek, knock for the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit! Abide in Christ! Walk in His Spirit. Please do not grieve the Spirit. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Now let me close with this. A pastor was explaining the Holy Spirit in a children's sermon. He took an empty glove and told the children that it was a magic glove. It was magical because it could pick things up. So he dropped the glove on a Bible and told the glove to pick up the book. When it didn't move, he apologized for its failure and assured them that he has seen it pick up books before. He suggested that the book might have been too heavy, so he tried putting the glove on a church bulletin. It still didn't work. Then one of the older children said to the pastor that he needed to put his hand in the glove. Then, the pastor shared that just like this glove, we can't do anything significant unless the Holy Spirit is inside us. Just as the glove needs a hand inside to do something, so we need the Holy Spirit.
