I stumbled upon one of God's promises today while I was reading his Word. It was exactly what I needed to hear, but I'm not sure you are going to like it. Ready? "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33). Not exactly what you were waiting to hear? Well, let me explain...and give a few more promises as well.
Some girlfriends and I are reading through the Jesus Calling devotional this year. And it has been life changing! If you need a good companion for the Bible I highly recommend checking it out. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. The May 8th devotional starts this way: "Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal since in this world you will have trouble." And reading those words allowed a peace to flow into my heart.
Guess what? I can't control whether or not trouble comes my way. The Bible promises it will. God says problems will happen. There is no way of getting out of it. And that is so freeing. I can't pray hard enough, read enough, do enough to get out of troubles and problems! And that is a relief I'm glad to be granted!!
But the story doesn't end there. God gave us another promise to go along with it..."But take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). So, there is no way to get out of troubles and we have a God that is bigger than any one we encounter. THAT IS EXCITING NEWS! Then, if we go back to the beginning of the verse, God says "I have told you these things so that you may have peace." These things were the truth that Jesus was going to be crucified but would rise again...which is what gave him the ability to overcome the world.
So yes, it is sad for a time. Yes, it is hard for a time. But the promise of heaven is something we can hold tightly. One day we WILL live trouble free. One day the cares of this world will be long forgotten. One day we will be sitting at the feet of Jesus, worshiping him for all eternity.
One day.
But until then, get ready for the trouble, because there is nothing you can do to stop it. But when it comes, run to the arms of Jesus because His Presence is enough to settle all our worries and fears and struggles. "For I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.'". Isaiah 41:13
Some girlfriends and I are reading through the Jesus Calling devotional this year. And it has been life changing! If you need a good companion for the Bible I highly recommend checking it out. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. The May 8th devotional starts this way: "Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal since in this world you will have trouble." And reading those words allowed a peace to flow into my heart.
Guess what? I can't control whether or not trouble comes my way. The Bible promises it will. God says problems will happen. There is no way of getting out of it. And that is so freeing. I can't pray hard enough, read enough, do enough to get out of troubles and problems! And that is a relief I'm glad to be granted!!
But the story doesn't end there. God gave us another promise to go along with it..."But take heart! I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33). So, there is no way to get out of troubles and we have a God that is bigger than any one we encounter. THAT IS EXCITING NEWS! Then, if we go back to the beginning of the verse, God says "I have told you these things so that you may have peace." These things were the truth that Jesus was going to be crucified but would rise again...which is what gave him the ability to overcome the world.
So yes, it is sad for a time. Yes, it is hard for a time. But the promise of heaven is something we can hold tightly. One day we WILL live trouble free. One day the cares of this world will be long forgotten. One day we will be sitting at the feet of Jesus, worshiping him for all eternity.
One day.
But until then, get ready for the trouble, because there is nothing you can do to stop it. But when it comes, run to the arms of Jesus because His Presence is enough to settle all our worries and fears and struggles. "For I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.'". Isaiah 41:13