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.”
Some define Peace as the absence of problems. This has confused and disappointed many, and it is not what God said.
In the verse above Jesus offers us peace, right before assuring us, we will have trouble.
He makes it clear that peace if found not in the absence of problems, but in the absence of worrying about them. This is not accomplished by minimizing your problems, but by maximizing your God.
Peace is a choice . Jesus tells us it is available "in Him", and even assures us that when the storm is raging, we can "take heart" in knowing He has already overcome the storm.
Paul talks about the Christian life as a "fight, or a race" (2 Tim 4:7). Neither are easy, and they are not supposed to be.
In Track, one of the hardest races is the Mile relay. It is both excruciating, and exhilarating. It is the last event, and winning or losing the meet often depends on it. So even though you know pain is certain, you grab the baton and run. Because the joy of victory with your brothers, is greater than the temporary pain it cost.
That is the Christian life.
Paul said it this way: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18) In other words ... Run the race! ..fight the fight! ...it is well worth it.
A life with Jesus provides joy. And the Christian life is sweeter because of the Peace we have in Him, and the love we have for each other.
But when trouble comes, we don't panic, and we don't worry. We crawl up in our Father's lap, face the problem and "take heart"...because He Loves us dearly, and He has overcome the world.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
― Corrie ten Boon
No comments:
Post a Comment