Our reality is, this side of Heaven, we will always have trials and challenges. Jesus said this much in the Gospel of John 16:33. But praise God that verse doesn’t start there nor end there. Jesus begins by offering us His peace, as He says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.” You see, this godly peace is not based on circumstance, it does not come and go, it is steady because it is founded on God’s never-ending and never-changing Love for us. We can have peace whether our world is bright and shiny, or if it seems to be falling apart. This peace is vital as we seek to use the gifts God has granted us to further His Kingdom. After all, if we are in a panic, can we sense the leading of the Holy Spirit? Praise Jesus for this amazing virtue of His Peace!
Then Jesus ends with, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” How is that encouraging? Well, if we stick with the One who is already Victorious in all things, we too will be victorious through whatever it is we are going through! You see victory doesn’t always look the way you and I would have imagined. Behold the Cross, if you are not sure. No greater success has there ever been, or ever will be, than when Jesus defeated the power of sin, death and Satan, by giving up His Life for us! Now as we connect with the Father, as we surrender to the Son and as we grow in the Holy Spirit, you and I can have success too!
<>< Peace, Diane
