“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 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?” (John 14:1-2)

After twenty-two years of living in Texas, we were moving. Leaving behind our life troubled our hearts. We purchased a beautiful little bungalow in Chicago with one problem: there was no room large enough for all of us to hang out. Determined to prepare the house for our family, Randy headed up to renovate the basement to create our much-desired family room.

As he left, I wanted to go with him, but it was more strategic for me to stay behind and finish handling all the details to ensure a smooth transition. My husband would be back to take us home, to the place he was preparing for our family.

When Jesus told his disciples he was leaving, they desperately wanted to go too. But strategically he needed to leave them behind to share the gospel with others to build his kingdom. So he taught them how their hearts could be comforted while he was gone: by believing his promise to return.

Is your heart troubled by your circumstances? Comfort yourself with Jesus’ promise to return and to take all of us who believe in him home, to the place he has prepared for us.

“I believe there is a heaven and hell and that Jesus will return to judge all people and to establish his eternal kingdom.”

[Excerpt from “Believe: 31-Day Devotional” by Randy & Rozanne Frazee]