“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, New Living Translation)
Have you ever felt like you simply cannot take one more hit? And then the next one comes. I’ve been there and I know people who are currently there. I sometimes talk with them. I often pray for them. I see their social media posts.
Anyone who has followed my posts for very long knows that I am not a fan of social media whining and complaining. That’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m not talking about the public airing of offenses, insults, and inconveniences. I’m talking about the cries of desperation that seem to be asking, “Does anyone care? Have I been forgotten and abandoned?”
In this verse, Jesus gives us two absolute certainties and two game-changing potentialities. In sequential order:
Potentiality – “so that you may have peace in me.” IN ME! Not in circumstances, but in relationship with Jesus that transcends circumstances.
Certainty – “you will have many trials and sorrows.” Why we would expect otherwise is a mystery. Life is what it is. We can’t control all our circumstances.
Potentiality – “take heart.” Literally, be of courage. Don’t give up. Your story is not completed. We can control how we respond to our circumstances.
Certainty – “I have overcome the world.” Not I MIGHT, or I WILL, but I HAVE. The ultimate outcome for Christ-followers is settled because the work of Christ is settled.
In the meantime, take heart and find your peace in Him.
Question: How does the second certainty help you deal with the first one?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your perspective.
