Teen Talk: Jesus is in our hearts

Jesus gives us strength and hope when we face difficulties. 

Emily Ciha 

What do you think about when you hear the word worry? We as sinful human beings can be worried about so many things—food, clothing, shelter, sickness, wars, natural disasters, and death.  

Ultimately, when people hear the word death their mind focuses on sadness, but we as Christians know that we don’t have to be sad when we speak about death because of what Jesus has done for us.  

In the short time of knowing my grandpa, he taught me many important lessons about life. He was a Lutheran teacher in Arizona for most of his life. In the summer of 2007, he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required a heart transplant. When my cousin found out that our grandpa was going to get a new heart, she asked, “Is Jesus going to be in grandpa’s new heart?”  

Before he went into surgery, Grandpa said he was in a win-win situation. If he died he would be in heaven with Jesus. If he lived he could continue to tell others about Jesus. The Lord brought him through the transplant.  

Then in the summer of 2013, my grandma and grandpa planned a family reunion in South Dakota. About a month before we went on our trip, my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer. It was important to him that we continue with our plans. We saw Mt. Rushmore, played games in our cabins when it rained, and took a lot of pictures together. Most important, we had devotions and prayed together.  

Saying good-bye was the hardest part of the trip because we didn’t know what the future held for everyone, especially my grandpa. We didn’t know if this was the last time we would see my grandpa or if he would live another five months and we would see him at Christmas. But what we as a Christian family knew was that God would be with each and every one of us and that he would protect and provide for our needs. We knew that if God decided to take my grandpa’s life, God would bring Grandpa to his eternal home in heaven.  

On Oct. 12, 2013, God in his wisdom took my grandpa home to heaven. 

Although there is sadness, we know that we can have joy in our hearts because my grandpa isn’t suffering anymore. He is in heaven with Jesus, where there is no suffering, mourning, or pain.  

Even though my grandpa had a lot of hardships in his life, he knew Jesus was always in his heart. He did not get through the hardships on his own. God was with him every step of the way, guiding him and protecting him.  

We have the hope of eternal life in heaven with Jesus forever, not because of what we do but because of what he has done for us.  

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV84). That is my confirmation passage, and it brings me comfort and joy to know that I can look to Jesus my Savior for help when I need it.  

Even though we have troubles and worry about things in our life, Christians have the joy of knowing that Jesus is in our hearts.  

Emily Ciha, a junior at Manitowoc Lutheran High School, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is a member at St. John, Manitowoc.  

Author: Emily Ciha
Volume 105, Number 10
Issue: October 2018

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