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“These things I have spoken to you,

that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation;

but be of good cheer, 

I have overcome the world.”

~ John 16:33

 

Good morning dear sister!

I hope this note finds you having slept well last night and waking with confidence in the Lord today! Since I have the advantage of writing this a little while before you're reading it, I took a few minutes to pray for a peaceful night’s sleep for you, no matter what your previous day was like! 

Jesus’ comforting words above encourage my spirit when I fret and grieve over the state of the world. Yes, I’ve been listening to news reports. The ‘big’ things, like wars and politics do discourage me, but it’s not surprising, after all, Jesus did promise that in the world we’d have trouble. 

What really gets to me, and probably you, is when tribulation comes to us personally. That’s a whole ‘nother story! In those times, I try to remember “why not me?” because the very words of Jesus, “in the world you shall have tribulation” include everyone, believers and non-believers alike!

It’s tempting to feel isolated in our misery. We know that bad things happen to other people, but we don’t feel the extent of their pain as intensely as we feel our own. As empathetic as one may be, no one can feel our personal pain as much as we do. (spoiler alert: except Jesus)

So, what can be done? To whom should we go? Are we helpless in our trials and tribulations? We already know the answers, dear sister! First, we turn to Jesus! The first thing Jesus offers us, even in the midst of tribulation, is peace!

When Jesus first spoke these words to His disciples, He was preparing them for what was soon to come, that is the fulfillment of His earthly mission; His death and resurrection. It was His last and most important conversation with them! 

Jesus offers them His peace. Although they don’t know it yet, they will need to return to Him again and again for His peace for the rest of their lives. Jesus offers us His peace too. We don’t have to accept it, but there is nothing in this world that can give the peace that Jesus gives! 

Earlier in that day, as they ate their last meal together, Jesus had encouraged His disciples with His truth, promising, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Jesus IS our peace. (Eph 2:14) 

So, what can be done when we’re in the midst of the storm? Remember what Jesus has promised! As we spend time with Him, we will hear the same words spoken to our own souls! And, like the first disciples, we can turn to Him again and again to receive His peace in the midst of our storms.

Jesus acknowledges that we will still encounter problems in our lives, and then gives us counter-intuitive advice! In spite of our troubles, we should be cheerful! Woah! 

Are we supposed to sweep our misery under the rug and put on a happy face? Are we supposed to pretend it doesn’t exist? 

The world, which gives us so many troubles in the first place, misleads us with thousands of remedies to fix those troubles. Jesus’ remedy for all our trials and tribulations is to be of good cheer! Now that takes some serious leaning on God!

At first glance, this seems impossible! How can we be cheerful when we’re full of anxiety or our heart is broken? We can and we will when we have confidence that Jesus has overcome the world! He has endured every trial and sorrow known to humankind and he has been victorious in overcoming every sin in the world! 

Hallelujah! In His death, the world thought that it had overcome Him, but God wasn’t finished yet! Jesus rose victoriously from the grave, giving us confidence, assurance and proof that, with Him, we can walk in victory too! That is something to cheer about!

Think about some times in your life when Jesus helped you overcome a situation. Take a moment to share it with someone! (My email address is under my name! ;) Our testimonies encourage and strengthen each other and glorify God!

God bless you, my sister! Keep loving Jesus and moving forward!

With love, your sister, Celeste