“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3

Worry and heart problems are associated. The stress of worry takes a physical toll; usually on the heart. Jesus offers a remedy for worry: resolute faith in Him as well as His Father. This faith is in Him as a person, but also in His work. He is preparing a place for us in the house of God that has many rooms.

There is a common misunderstanding as to what Jesus promises here. Some believe that it is the promise of a permanent dwelling place in heaven; living forever in a mansion on a hilltop. But this hardly makes sense if Jesus is to come again to receive us to Himself. The promise of His second coming is clearly in reference to Him coming to the earth, not us going to heaven (i.e, Acts 1:11).

If we only view Jesus’ promise as a physical location, we miss the main point. He promises a place in the family; belonging to the household of God. The mention of “dwelling places” is in reference to permanence; there is a place prepared for us in the family, and this is not subject to change.

Belonging is important. There is a deep human need for identity, whether in human family or community. We derive well-being from finding our place. The ultimate well-being is found in belonging to the people of God through Christ. Friendships and biological family - satisfying as they are - are only temporary. The friendship and family of the people of God, however, are for both now and eternity.

The overarching promise of Jesus, designed to overcome troublesome worry, is that of our collective place and identity. While there is a personal level of faith and discipleship, we must never forget that we are vitally connected with others in the household of faith. We are called to both personal commitment and community. As someone has said, no matter how imperfect the community of faith, there is not the slightest chance of spiritual vitality without it. We are designed to thrive within the household of God.

The remedy for the worry that we are easily prone to is resolute faith in our Father and His Son, and the promise of a place where we truly belong.

Be sure to also see Amazon ebook & print devotional and podcast: New Day Dawning.