Listening to my heart I heard peace in my soul.

My dear friend Lisa gave me a wonderful devotional journal for Christmas, “The Courage to Write” (in which she is featured!). This morning, I read the following Bible verse: John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Boy, is this good news! My heart was troubled this morning. The people I love the most are all going through trying times right now. The stressors include mental health diagnoses, schooling, divorce, job loss, housing, tech frustration (that was me), and I could go on (I won’t). I was, in fact, avoiding communication this morning as I was so anxious about what I might hear.

Then I read Jesus’ words, “I have told you these things so that you may have peace.” Yes, please! Bring me your peace. “In this world, you will have trouble.” Oh, yes, we will. Having known the great celebrations of life (new babies, graduations, abundant provisions), I also know it is hard to endure the trials. “But take heart!” Yes! Beautiful words, “take heart”. I felt my physical heart strengthen. These are the same words Jesus spoke to the bleeding woman. Matthew 9:22, “Take heart daughter, your faith has made you well.”

“I have overcome the world.” Amen! How did I forget this? Jesus is bigger than our daily worldly troubles. So, this morning, I made the phone call, sent the text, and replied to the email.

A few years ago, on Trinity Sunday, it occurred to me that while I fully “get” the Creator God and the Holy Spirit, I was weak in understanding Jesus. One would think that God in human form is the most easily relatable manifestation. This was not true for me.

I go to church every Sunday. I participate in Lenten and Advent studies. I learn of his parables. I believe in his ability to heal people, then and now, of all types of disease. Still, I did not feel a personal relationship with God the Son. Very simply, I began to ask Jesus to help me know him better.

A lesson I learned from Father James Martin’s book Between Heaven and Mirth helped me with this. He writes that while happiness is transitory and dependent on conditions, joy depends on a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Joy does not come and go with changing circumstances but is strong, durable, and bigger than anything the world can throw our way.

As Christians, we are the body of Christ. My loving relationship with other human beings is my love for and from Jesus.

It follows then that as I isolate and withhold myself to avoid the troubles of others (which, honestly, I do not really want to take on), I am, in fact, taking myself out of Christ, and I am joyless.

So, when my friend, Jesus, said, “Take heart” I knew he was right with me. As we reached out together and renewed communication, I felt joy return. The problems are still there, but much more significant is the peace of Christ. It is well, it is well with my soul.

Sheila Fontana lives in Glenwood Landing, NY, where she has been a massage therapist for thirty years. She loves to dance and teaches Zumba at the local YMCA. She joyfully attends the United Methodist Church in Sea Cliff, where she serves as a lay leader. Leading church services when the pastor is away has brought great joy and deepened her faith. Sheila and her husband have four adult children and five grandchildren. This August, they will celebrate their first wedding anniversary.