Everything You Need – Dr. Hona Amer

Scripture:

“Jesus answered them, ‘Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world’.” John 16:31-33 (MSG)

Perspective:

In the workplace, we are taught to ask “why” when things go wrong. In order to fix a problem, we have to find the underlying source of the problem. When we ask the question “why”, we are hoping that it will lead us to the answer. Yet, in life, we face situations where the question “why” leaves us without answers. So, what do we do when we face difficulties and have no answers?

The trials of this life can be difficult, overwhelming, and tiresome. In John 16, Jesus was preparing the disciples for what lay before them. Sometimes, there can be a perception that if you walk with Jesus, you get a free ticket that allows you to miss all of the challenges in life. But that is not the case. Even Jesus told the disciples that they would face trials and difficulties. So, if both non-Christians and Christians experience challenges, why walk with Jesus? This question has caused many people to wonder about the value of a relationship with God. The answer is simple. Though the waves crash around you, Jesus is near. And when we are facing a grim medical diagnosis, a loss of a job, or the death of a loved one, the thing that we need most is for Jesus to be near. Because Jesus has conquered the world, no situation is too big or hard for him to handle. We simply have to realize that Jesus is the answer we need when other answers are coming up short. Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) says, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” We want to trust God when we know the answer, but value comes when we don’t know the answers. By trusting God through the good times and the bad, you can walk in peace, knowing that He is with you. And, His presence is more than enough in our time of need.