Morning Cuppas With Glenys : prayer

Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

We are faithful

Chronic illness can make us feel that we are incapable of many things. That can be true of physical things which for most of us who are ill or disabled, are now incapable of doing. But all is not lost as there are still things which are eternal that we can do.

We are told to pray without ceasing and prayer is something we can manage to do. Albeit in a different way to the "normals'" prayers, our disjointed or mumbled prayers are still as powerful and effective.

Just because we are sitting in our recliners, or in our bed, or sitting on a shower chair, in our wheelchair or resting on the seat of our walker- the fervent prayers we offer will reach the Ears of Him Who we serve.

We must never let the lies of the evil one cause us to doubt ourselves and then have us not pray at all. We are never wasting our life when we pray. God does not class prayers according to the pray-ers' surroundings.

Goodness knows, we have heard of soldiers praying in the trenches under fire and imminent death. No, our prayers are of equal importance to God. Our prayers will drive the enemy away and cause him to tremble, because he knows wherever we pray is holy ground. Satan doesn't care about where or even how they are prayed. He hates the fact that we still pray.

Faithfulness is something chronic illness can't take away from us. No matter how hard the enemy tries to convince us that we are wasting our lives, we know he is just using wily and cunning ways to get us to stop praying and therefore serving God.

The prayers of the chronically ill are precious to the LORD, for He knows the battles we face just to be "normal". But we are more than "normal" as we come against illness and serve Him regardless.

Chronic illness will try to wipe us out physically, emotionally and spiritually if it can: but one thing we sufferers are is not only resilient: we are faithful.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Sleeping like a baby

Recently I have been overwhelmed with problems that can only be helped by praying. The most recent trial came this week with my youngest (adult) child suffering from the aftereffects of breast surgery.

This particular surgery has been repeated three times and each time the sac of her cyst was not removed properly and reoccurred. Followed by a golden staph infection. Followed by antibiotics. Followed by lots of pain.

So a week after this last surgery, the dressing was particularly stained with infection again. This necessitated another visit to her general practitioner to be treated.

This turned out to be the straw that broke this mother's back and I had a panic attack, believing she could perhaps lose her breast or contract septicaemia.. (her bandage certainly looked purilent enough)

I took myself to bed early and spoke to the LORD about my fears for my daughter. Once again, I felt that peace that enveloped me like a cloak of warmth. I experienced that before when the same daughter was fighting for her life with leukaemia.

In the middle of committing my girl into God's care, I fell asleep next to my little cat Xena who was purring against me and trying to comfort her mum. I had a restful night despite feeling initial panic.

We prayed for her this morning before her doctor appointment. The results were wonderful. The wound had healed well. No infection. Just some residual ooze after the wound was initially closed.

Antibiotics were prescribed to be absolutely sure that it not become infected. We are so glad that this time there's a happier outcome than the 2 previous surgeries.

Once again, the LORD is true to His Word and was there for me as I came to Him in a panic. He gave me perfect peace even as the waves of fear rose up threatening to drown me.

Feeling the peace that passes all understanding, I was able to give it all to God and sleep like a baby.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

His promise still stands.

Recently I have had one trial after another... and some mornings I wake up in so much pain that I often consider staying in bed. I simply cannot face another day.

There is much going on behind the scenes with my family which I am not at liberty to talk about and it is the sort of stuff that I can do nothing about, or help. Except pray.

On days like that, I start the day with morning prayer with Chris. We start by thanking Him for another day of life, and we ask for His Strength and blessing on us as we travel through the day.

Most times with Chris being quite ill himself, we mention that we don't understand how people get on without God. And we thank Him afresh for His faithfulness to us even as we shakily stand and shuffle together through each hour.

Often we remind each other that God is faithful and is the same today as He was yesterday, and will be tomorrow.

And as we pray before closing our eyes, we once again are grateful that we have managed to do at least that which was most needful, and we thank Him for that.

We manage to drift off to sleep, secure in the knowledge that God will be there waiting to help us as we painfully wake up to another morning...

The only reason I've made it this far is God.

His grace carried me.

His plan sustains me.

His promise still stands.

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

We are blessed, not lucky

With the blessing of each new day comes a chance to experience a deeper faith and love from God.

When all can look gloomy today, there is every chance that tomorrow will be brighter. We must always remember that or we will sink into the Pit of Despair.

Just recently I have posted about how difficult life has been lately but in all that, God has shown Himself faithful and good to me in many ways. Ways that are personal and intimate between He and I...

Such is the relationship between us that I can see God's Hand in everything. Things meant for my ill have turned out, through Him to be totally turned around and a blessing..

The blessings started out small at my lowest point. God sent my little Kingfisher into my backgarden. Only I would have seen him, and I recognised His love glance immediately.

Then He brought a little ginger cat into our life. Very affectionate and homeless. And an answer to my prayer to be a "cat lady" in my old age.

I have had my prayers answered with our 3 pregnant grandchildren's pregnancy problems being sorted and we are eagerly expecting new babies in the next few months.

Family who have been ill with serious health issues have had major improvements.

Our rented house, which was for sale has been sold to an investor and we can stay- longterm. The settlement is tomorrow and today the for sale sign was removed!

In fact, yesterday the new Property Manager came to do the final pre-settlement inspection and she was impressed with how clean and well kept our home is!

She also said that with the new laws here in Australia regarding investments property acquisitions, it was not really worth investing now and she added that we were very lucky to have the sale go to an investor.

I agreed but really I don't believe in luck. Once we are born again, everything we do comes under the watchful Eye of the LORD. He does not bestow luck on us nor is our fortune- good or bad, by chance or the universe.

It is not controlled by how the stars are aligned or if you crossed your fingers or wished upon a star. It is by God's grace and favour that we are blessed- and even that which we don't see as a blessing is permitted by Him in order for us to grow closer to Him and seek Him.

Jodar the mythical god of luck has no power, and God Himself will not share His glory with another. Blessings are from the only true God. We are blessed, not lucky

"The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.” -Proverbs 16:33

Thank You Lord, for the blessings

So we found out today that the house has been sold to an investor.

Apparently we will be able to stay as tenants. To say we are relieved is an understatement.

We are so grateful to the LORD for allowing us to stay. He has answered our prayers.

We are both not in good shape to cope with a move. Chris with his stroke and me with fibromyalgia and polymyalgia rheumatica flaring together..

At the moment, I am still not quite believing this good news... after weeks of uncertainty, it is such a change to relax.

I am so attached to this house.. I have finally unpacked my emotional suitcase so to speak. That rarely happens when you are constantly renting.

Just savouring a cup of tea with my cat by my side, I realise how very very blessed we are.

We would have somehow managed a move- you do what you have to do- but to be able to stay and not have to do anything except pay the rent to a different landlord is a blessing that will go on giving.

Thank You LORD, for the blessings.

" For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I am comforted.

I am on fire with pain. Literally from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I don't believe I am being punished for my sin. Jesus took that for me...

But I do believe that we live in a fallen world and I am genetically weak with many inherited maladies from both sides of my parentage.

At nearly 73, I am unravelling. It is just the facts.. my body is failing me. I am in agony and I cannot get medications that will successfully keep the pain at bearable limits. This is because some who abuse opioids have closed the door on help for everyone who truly needs it.

They don't believe that I need pain relief, but here is a brief description of my pain in mostly every area of my body.

My head: PMR temple pain and headache. TMJ causing jaw pain and earache. Fibro brain fog.
My neck: Polymyalgia rhuematica pain (PMR) Hashimoto's disease.
My skin: psoriasis and rash on shins from lymphedema of left leg
My shoulders: fibromyalgia and PMR muscle pain. Lymphedema in my right arm (from the angiogram)
My heart: angina, costrocondritis. Hole in the heart. Ongoing IHD
My blood: antiphospholilipid syndrome. (Sticky blood)
My lungs: pulmonary hypertension. Only my left one working.
My stomach: gastroparisis, GERD. Navel hernia repair done with mesh which is tearing away from flesh
My pancreas: failing due to diabetes 2
My kidneys: stage 3 failing and dropping- currently 56 Makers of 50+ kidney stones
My arms: muscle pain with tearing ligament pain.
My hands: deformed from osteoarthritis. Trigger finger on left pointer finger.
My back & hips: PMR, fibromyalgia, spinal canal stenosis, ankylosing spondylitis, Scheurrmanns disease. No lower discs left. Coccydynia
My knees: lymphedema, ligaments torn and a fabella in the right knee. Arthritis.
My legs: fluid from heart disease and lymphedema.
My feet: arthritis, peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, heel spurs

Each day brings more pain. The level fluctuates, but it never goes. And I am still treated like a drug abuser when I ask for pain relief- and this is all verifiable by medical tests.

In fact, the only "help" I have gotten is through a pain management clinic where I was told to play Candy Crush to keep my mind off it. It is a joke.

In spite of all this, I have had comfort from the LORD. He has helped me to seek truth and set the evil one to flight in moments of doubt. It is easy to wonder if one is being punished during a trial of pain and illness.

Sometimes I haven't even been able to formulate prayers and yet He has calmed my heart and made His Presence felt in giving me a peace.

He has led me to rest in Him, allowing me to drift into a sleep that has seen me restored and refreshed enough to cope during even the most painful of episodes.

His Holy Spirit has reminded me that this too will pass and that Jesus is preparing for me a place of eternal joy and health. And that the suffering I have now will fade in the beauty of His Presence and Holiness where nothing will cause tears and pain and where there is no death.

I have truly felt His Love for me wrap itself around me like a cloak of protection and ownership.

Sometimes He will bring a song of praise or worship to mind, and I will praise Him in spite of it all. For He is worthy.

Through illness and pain, I have felt a Father's concern and love and I have held on to His Promise that He will not leave me comfortless and will come to me..

The pain is relentless, but so is God's Love and Presence.

It is true: I am not alone. I am comforted.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

No more tears in Heaven

So today I realised that one of my step-children had unfriended me on Face Book. It was quite a surprise as I thought we got on fairly well.

I thought about it a lot today because as anyone will tell you, rejection is a bitter pill to swallow.

As it so happened, I had a chance to ask my step-child's spouse for a reason and the response was that the step-child was offended by all the "God stuff" I post.

Well, this is not the first time I have been rejected by my family because of my Christian witness, but nevertheless, it still smarted...

My response was to share about my own child's rejection of me and following estrangement. I mentioned that same as I had told that person, it is my wall and my right to post that which is meaningful to me...

As I said to Chris tonight, Jesus did tell us that we would suffer for His sake, and even lose family over our walk with Him. Furthermore, He told us that if our first priority was not following Him and we gave in to the rejectors by not following Him, then we were not worthy of Him. I can never reject Jesus.

Today, as these thoughts and feelings swirled around in my head, I was once again comforted by the Holy Spirit Who reminded me that these trials will be nothing in comparison to the joys we will have in Heaven with Christ.

I will continue to love and pray for those who reject me and I will get over it and move forward. But I have to confess that I do look forward to being with Jesus...

It is said who will have the last laugh... it's not funny that they are lost and I won't be laughing.

I am so glad we won't remember those we loved who are lost. There will be no more tears in Heaven...

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me- Matthew 10:37

"We give You thanks"

"We Give You Thanks"

Lord, as we gather at this table
May we be truly grateful
For the bounty You have given us.
We thank you for the earth and rain,
The good harvest and the wholesome grain
That went into our daily bread
And kept the stock that kept us fed.
Thank you for the hands that cooked and baked,
And for the water that our thirst slaked.
Please accept our thanks as we honour You
For Your goodness in giving us this food.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrews 13:15

Another chance at life together

So we were watching TV together when I noticed Chris was shutting one eye and then the other. Then he told me he had a really bad headache.

I gave him some paracetamol and he fell asleep on the couch after taking it.

A day or two afterward, he was looking at me and I noticed his left eye was turning in. That's when the double vision came into play...

After putting up with it for a week, Chris decided it wasn't getting better, so we went to the ED.

They noticed his right eye stares straight ahead, making the left eye turn like it should, but causing double vision which made him feel nauseous.

They noticed his blood pressure was quite high and started him on more medication for it. They ordered a Cat Scan on his head and admitted him.

The CT scan showed no abnormalities, so they followed up with a MRI which did. Chris had had a stroke in his cerebellum.

It was not a bleed but rather a blockage, and they believe this caused his double vision known as Cranial sixth nerve palsy. They don't know if it will be permanent or not.

They are treating his blood pressure, upping his insulin for the diabetes and putting him on aspirin as a blood thinner, as well as giving him statins for his high cholesterol.

He will be treated by patching one eye to avoid double vision and taking the aforementioned medications. This will be punctuated with GP visits, physiotherapy visits for eye exercises, endocrinologist and neurologist.

My fibromyalgia has flared as I am exhausted. I stayed everyday of his week long hospital stay from 10-7pm. The weather was changing all the time as we are in our spring and I have had angina because the stress was mind numbing..

We are so grateful that the stroke wasn't worse and we are praying believing that the eye nerve damage will sort itself out. Also we are praying that he doesn't have another stroke.

Mostly we thank the LORD for another chance at life together..

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. -Psalm 91:14-16

Your precious wings of freedom!

So recently we have been praying for a family member who has just undergone a transplant surgery. Due to privacy issues, I am unable to disclose anything further.

I can disclose that this surgery carries enormous risks. During and especially after, there are dangers such as organ rejection and infection.

Chris and I have been praying with my family that this life saving surgery be successful. So far, so good. Apparently the first 48 hours are critical in regards of organ rejection.. It's been nearly that now.

As is our custom, we prayed a prayer of thanks for the successful operation and also for ongoing recovery with no rejection etc.

It was during such prayer that we realised that in order for our family member to have another chance of life, someone had to die to donate the organs to give that other chance.

We prayed a prayer of thanks to God for putting it in to someone's heart to be an organ donor. We also prayed for that person and his or her family as they grieve their passing.

It is a sobering thought... waiting in quiet desperation for someone to die so that another may live. There are so few organ donors out there and the list of needy people far outgrows the list of donors.

I have considered becoming an organ donor, however my state of health makes me ineligible to donate.

Chris and I are grateful for whoever donated their precious organs. What a selfless act of love.

It is almost as if they were saying, "I will have no use for these wings now, for I will have the greatest of freedom."

So we now say with grateful reverence, "Thank you for this gift!" And we bow our heads as our loved one also gratefully accepts them-and thank you for your precious wings of freedom!

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24

Choose to move on

There is much wisdom here. Going back is often impossible, but moving forward is a must. Pray and ask for God's help.

Just don't stand still and get nowhere. Your attitude will effect your next step. Your action will effect your day. Each action on a daily basis will become your life. Determine to be happy in the LORD

To a great degree, you are in charge of your ending. God has great plans for you. Choose to move on.

" For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

That's where we go from here

So it seems we have the world literally upside down with wars and news of wars. Although we know God has us in His Hands, it is still a challenge to avoid becoming full of fear. So where do we go from here?

We discussed spiritually how to overcome fear. We have talked about using basic hygiene and clinging to Jesus in times of trouble.

We have talked about FlyLady's post on keeping peace in our home. Today I would like to add some thoughts: things I have thought of doing in my own life....

Take care of the spiritual daily by reading the Word, praying and worshiping. Play worship songs and hymns
Take care of your physical needs and that of your family by preparing nourishing meals
Take care not to speak of your fears within earshot of your children: they understand more than we realise.
Take care of your home: it is not only your safe haven, but it gives nurture and stability in a world that is anything but nurturing and stable. Follow your normal home keeping routines.
Take care of your pets and livestock, but particularly your pets. Animals sense fear. Remember to show them love.
Take care to plan ahead with meals and shopping. Shelves are getting low. Plan to stock enough basic human and animal foods and baby formula, feminine hygiene products and toiletries to last a two week time period should it be necessary to wait out distribution problems. Make sure you have a month's extra prescription medications if you take them. Buy extra pain relievers, bandaids and disinfectant.
Take care to plan fun activities with the children and strictly monitor what they see on TV or on their ipads etc. We don't need to fill little heads with adult problems. Restrict News programs
Take care to explain to those who may say we lack faith to stock pile or practise extra hygiene, that we believe in God, but we also believe in following protocols to keep our family safe.
Take care to give extra hugs to your husband and children. It is beneficial for everyone and a good cuddle helps relieve stress and enhances love in a marriage and family

These days are a trial to all of us, but we can minimise the effects by trying to keep our life as undisturbed as possible. Most disturbance will be out of our control, however, we can control our reaction to it and the smooth running of our household.

Loving and serving God, our family and putting extra thought into our homemaking will help us on what we can control. Trusting in the LORD to keep us safe. That's where we go from here.

So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

You can rely on His Word

Scripture tells us that we will not know the day or hour that Jesus comes to take His Bride- the Church home with Him. We who are looking for His glorious appearing and being with Christ for eternity are longing for the Day. And so we should be.

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows" Matthew 24:36

Many of us are experiencing our own tribulations as the world is cast into the shadow of the great Tribulation, and we are tired of living in this sin-filled, ungodly world. We need to keep not only our eyes looking up, but our hearts.

As in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the final days before the Rapture also known in the Bible as the Harpazo and Rapturo. (Yes it is mentioned in the scriptures). We need to keep the faith, keep fighting the good fight and keep our spirits and heart in longing for our Beloved to come for us. And He is coming!

What can we be doing as we wait for Jesus to take us Home?

I believe we should be in prayer for those people suffering under authorities such as the Taliban and for all those Christians who are in danger.
We need to intercede for the Ukrainians who are being invaded as we speak.

We should be praying for those who are still unsaved.

Keeping the faith can be difficult for some, especially as the world gets darker. We need to pray for ourselves too.

How can we overcome the anxiety and depression these end days bring?

We should bring our thoughts and minds under the control of the Holy Spirit by focussing on good things that are still here

We must remember that Christ is in control, no matter how bad a situation becomes.

We must bring everything we see, hear and read in to the light of the Word and we must remember that all these things, though disturbing, are temporary.

We must maintain an attitude of gratitude for all things in our life and dwell on God's goodness.

We simply must be a person of worship and praise.

We must be in the Word.
We must remember that Jesus has promised to take us Home before the Great Tribulation.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth- Revelation 3:10

The end is in sight and we are tired. We long for Jesus to take us to be with Him. We are continuing to fight the good fight. We are running the race and our Saviour cheers us on.

We are being His faithful servants even in the end days.. whilst watching and waiting. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

Those who don't know Jesus yet....There's not much time left, my friends. Get on the Ark and get saved now.

He is coming- and soon. Accept Christ now! God is fulfilling all things and it must come to pass. You can rely on His Word.

Now is not the time to give up

In light of the state of the world today it is easy to be fearful. Even the believer can be anxious, but now with prophecy leaping off the page at us and the signs of the End Times that Jesus Himself told us to watch for converging and some fulfilled, it is crucial that we keep the faith.

Keeping the faith means clinging to that which you have received in faith through the Holy Spirit Who is our Teacher, Guide and Comforter.

It also means that in order to bring our thoughts of fear into the Captivity of Christ, we are allowing the peace of God's promises to protect us. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; -2 Corinthians 10:5

Prayer is important in helping us overcome fear, and talking to God will give us confidence and peace.

With our race nearly won, it is understandable that we are weary and feeling that we can't go on. But we cannot abandon our faith and give up. We have to push on, remembering that our current afflictions will be nothing compared to the blessings of life in Heaven.

We must put on the Armour of God as He told us and use the tools at our disposal, and be more than conquerors.

Jesus is coming for His Church soon just as He told us. Cling to Him and the Blessed Hope.

Our redemption is near and these days are short now. Keep the faith, don't fall by the wayside.

We are living in the last days of Grace and the Rapture is near. Live each remaining day with courage and faith, for stopping mid stride is not an option.

Live in Courage. Faith. Obedience. Hope. For now is not the time to give up.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Chronically ill but faithful

We must never let the lies of the evil one cause us to doubt ourselves and then have us not pray at all. We are never wasting our life when we pray.

God does not class prayers according to the pray-ers' surroundings. Goodness knows, we have heard of soldiers praying in the trenches under fire and imminent death. No, our prayers are of equal importance to God.

Our prayers will drive the enemy away and cause him to tremble, because he knows wherever we pray is holy ground. He doesn't care about where or even how they are prayed. He hates the fact that we still pray.

The prayers of the chronically ill are precious to the LORD, for He knows the battles we face just to be "normal". But we are more than "normal" as we come against illness and serve Him regardless.

Chronic illness will try to wipe us out physically, emotionally and spiritually if it can: but one thing we sufferers are is not only resilient: we are faithful.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

Don't let fear ruin your peace!

So the world has become a scary place with UFO's and "aliens" (fallen angels) and mysterious fogs and rumours of wars and new diseases.

We live on the cusp of World War 3 and often we despair as we watch news of existing wars and devastation.

I won't lie- sometimes I become afraid. I know we are in the end days and we wait for deliverence by the Rapture. We are more than ready to be with Jesus.

I admit that I have too much time to think and I am morbidly attracted to the News and updates on prophecy playing out in front of our eyes.

That comes at a price though. It robs me of my peace! I mean, often I find myself confused by world events and back tracks and I don't know what to believe.

It is then that I have to take my thoughts into the captivity of Christ. If what I am seeing or reading does not agree with scripture, then I reject it. If one believes as I do, that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, then it is imperative that one brings any doubts or fear to Christ in prayer.

Many are looking for the Anti-Christ and although there are quite a few who meet the criteria for that role, he will not manifest himself until after that which restrains him is gone. That is us with the Holy Spirit within us and until the Rapture has taken place, he is still restrained.

I am looking not for him, but for Christ. Personally, it won't matter to me who is he.. I know Who I follow and believe in.

If we have faith in Christ Who gave His life for us and Who will keep us eternally and carry us until He comes, then there's no reason to fret and worry. We are kept and secure.

God has told us what to expect in these end days and if we continue to pray and keep close to Him, fear will not get a hold of us and ruin our peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

In our Father's House!

I came across this- Heaven's Promised Mansions - A Place for You | Worship Song- and wanted to share it.

It is obviously AI generated, and we can only imagine how much better Heaven will be in reality.

As we struggle on earth waiting for the Rapture, may this remind us that earth is not our Home.

We were created to worship God... Imagine having an eternity to be in God's Presence and to worship Him... and Jesus has gone to prepare the perfect Place for us to do that.. for He has prepared a mansion for us... built for eternity.

In line with these thoughts is that the word "mansion" comes from the word "monai", which most literally means "dwelling places." Translations such as the KJV have rendered this as "mansions." Many have latched onto this in a very literal way, imagining that Jesus is promising physical palaces for all Christians in heaven.

While that's not entirely impossible, there's a more important meaning here. Jesus says these monai are in His "Father's House," using the expression tē oikia, which can mean a physical house or a family. In this context, it seems to mean something more family-related.

Christ's meaning here is more likely a reassurance that in the family of God is room for all of them, more so than a promise for a fancy house. That's more in keeping with Jesus' later comment in this verse that He's preparing "a place" using a very generic Greek term, topon.

Jesus' remark here is meant to continue the reassurance He began in the prior verse. Like that verse, this one contains an expression which can be translated in more than one way. Translators have rendered this phrase as a rhetorical question, a direct statement, and either included or separated the comment about a "place" into the sentence.

Which of those was John's original intent is an answer deeply buried in ancient Greek grammar and vocabulary. No matter which is ultimately the case, the practical meaning is the same: Christ has not been deceptive, there is restoration at the end of a believer's life journey, and this destiny is the result of Christ's efforts.

Jesus will use the same word for "dwelling places" in John 14:23 when He speaks about coming to make His home in those who believe. From Bibleref.com

Maranatha! O come, LORD Jesus! We are longing to dwell with You in our Father's House.

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you- John 14:2