Take Heart

Life is tough. It has challenges and heartaches that we could never foresee. (That’s probably a good thing.)

Some believe that being a believer means we won’t (or shouldn’t) have these difficulties anymore. Some even go so far as to say that if a believer is undergoing hardships, persecutions, and challenges, it is evidence that they either do not believe or their faith is not strong (enough.)

Not only is this un-Scriptural, it is anti-Scriptural.

Today’s scripture plainly says that “in the world you will have tribulation.” Not “if you have little faith,” not “may,” not “might;””will!”

We don’t get to know the times the tribulations will come. We don’t get to know what types of tribulations they will be. We don’t get to know the severity or extent or length. We know that being in this sinful, fallen, messed-up world, tribulation will be there with it. A part of it. Because of it.

But that’s the end of the reading or verse, “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The tribulations aren’t the focus. Our sufferings and pains and heartaches aren’t the focus.

Jesus is the focus. Always.

And His victory over the world and all it’s tribulations and heartaches is now our victory, too. Heartaches are transformed by Jesus’ “take heart.”

He doesn’t promise tribulations will cease in this fallen world. He points us to the reality that this fallen world – and all it’s tribulations has been overcome and a New Creation is in store, where heartaches are never more.

Take heart! Jesus has overcome; for you; for all, forever.

“Lord Jesus, we praise and thank You that You have overcome the world, overcome death, sin, the devil, and all tribulations and heartaches. Remind us in challenges that they are temporary and defeated and that we can take heart and look forward to the new world You will create, free from all tribulations and heartaches. In Your holy and precious name do we pray. Amen.”

Scriptures

• John 16:27-28
• John 16:32-33