John 16:33

Our personal problems can seem overwhelming at times. Health issues may be a constant concern. Financial problems, parenting, marital, relational, and work challenges can be ongoing. Beyond that, national and international unrest may cause us to shake our heads and wonder what the world is coming to. But Jesus interrupts us and gets straight to the point in John 16:33.  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have OVERCOME the world.” These are amazing words coming from our Savior. He tells us that the new normal after sin entered the world is: tribulation which means, “pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress.” He doesn’t say we may have times of tribulation. He doesn’t say pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress may interrupt our days. He says we have tribulation. However, note what Jesus says we have in addition to tribulation. We have Him and the peace He gives us. Our Lord is bigger than the world and its tribulations. In fact, He’s OVERCOME the world. Jesus is the answer to our anxiety. He tells us, “Take courage.” Are you reaching for Jesus and taking courage? 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have OVERCOME the world.”

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. We praise You for the peace You give us when we trust in You.

A few days ago I was feeling STRESSED! Yes,  I had begun my morning in praise and prayer. Yes, I had read my Bible and been blessed and encouraged. But LIFE STILL HAPPENS, doesn’t it. And, life can be stressful. Rather, it is stressful. Jesus said, “in the world you HAVE tribulation.” Not, “may have” tribulation.  So how do we handle the stress that accompanies tribulation? Christ’s remedy is for us to REJOICE. “Rejoice?” we might ask. Are you kidding me? I’m stressed. I want to scream. I want the world to stop and me to jump off. Rejoice? And that’s where I was a few days ago. I spelled it out for my sister in a text. “I’m so STRESSED.” My phone rang the next instant. Linda didn’t say “Hi, honi,” like she usually does. There was no small talk. Instead, what fell on my ears were the Scriptures at the end of this post. I encourage you to put your name in the blank and then hear the words as coming straight from Jesus’s heart; because He loves you and is there for you in your stressful situations. AFTER you hear His words of comfort, please click HERE and then share this post on facebook or forward it to your friends. If you’re watching the videos that follow, it will help to get the word out on PRAYER if you click the “thumbs up” in the upper right portion of the video. The reason I’m asking you to share what’s going on with the prayer journal is because God has stirred many people’s hearts to become more passionate and purposefully in their prayer lives. Many have order the prayer journal and we’re all anxiously awaiting a new shipment of the journals so everyone can begin journaling. The reason I’m asking you to share this post is because many people are feeling stress for lots of different reasons. Please receive the encouragement for yourself; then share the reminder that even even in the midst of stressful times, our Lord is with us, He’s on the throne and we can can REJOICE in that.  Now, from God’s heart to yours.

Dear __________, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. … practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 

 

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can rejoice in You no matter what is happening. Thank You that You are KING, on the throne, and in control. 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” 

Our personal problems can seem overwhelming at times. National and international problems may cause us to shake our heads and wonder “what the world is coming to.” But Jesus interrupts our conflicted worries and gets straight to the point. In the world, we’re going to have tribulation, which means “pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress.” Then, He says the most amazing thing. He’s bigger than the world. He’s OVERCOME it. And that is why He invites us to take His hand and take His peace. 

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. I praise You for the peace You give me when I look heavenward and trust You.  

 *Debbie Taylor Williams.                                                                                                                        Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams.  Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.