Take Heart and Overcome

“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.”
John 16:33

A project I had been working on was getting close to being finished. All that needed to be done was to place the final piece of the modular desk. The problem – the last piece was a large corner hutch in the basement of a building with no elevator and too big to easily fit through a door. Luckily I was not alone in getting the desk piece where it needed to go. Now redecorating an office isn’t a life changing struggle, just a bit of hard work. My husband and I have some friends who are facing some changes similar to the ones we made a year ago. Life change is hard and scary but no matter what we are facing we are not alone in any of it.

The passage for this week comes at the end of what we could say is a good news – bad news conversation Jesus had with his disciples. You see he is trying to get them ready for what they will experience as a tragic and devastating, life change event – his death and the cost they will face for staying faithful to him after he is gone. At the beginning of chapter 16 Jesus tell them straight up, that they will probably get kicked out of church and that some people will think they are carrying out God’s will if they kill them – that’s the bad news for sure. Jesus continues talking to them telling them that even though he has left them – he will always be with them and they will see Him again one day.

Jesus’ closing statements sums up the good news portion of the conversation. He tells them that despite all of the troubles they will face in the days, months and years ahead as long as they remember Him, follow after Him, allow themselves to be enfolded by His Spirit that they will not only have the peace that He has given to them, they will also have the courage needed to face whatever comes at them – all because He has overcome all of the bad news this world has to offer.

Whatever you are facing whether it is extreme weather related storms or the storms of life change, you are not alone – no matter what you are facing. Let yourself be wrapped by the power of a risen and loving Savior who gives us all the courage and peace we need to overcome.

A Prayer
Father – you are our peace and our courage. Thank you for providing us with everything that we need to face the bad news that this world is so good at throwing at us. Thank you - that your Son has overcome the world – so that we too can overcome. Help us to share the power, courage and peace you give us with those around us so that they will see you and become over comers as well. In the name of Jesus, who leads us in overcoming the world we pray – Amen.