Experiencing Trouble

John 16:33

“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.”

Last Saturday, I ran The Melon Dash 5K in downtown McKinney. The race is held every year in August, and every year the hot weather is tortuous.

Somewhere around the first mile marker, I came up to a man running with his young daughter. The girl looked like she was around seven years old and was putting forth a great effort, but she did not look happy. I wondered if she had been eager before the race began – enthusiastic to go on this journey with her dad – or if instead she had been dragged into it by her father. Regardless, she looked discouraged. I ran alongside of them, smiled, and said (exact quote): “It’s always hard, but in the end you will be glad you did it.” As soon as I said it, I regretted my words. Always hard? What kind of encouragement was that? I had just told a new runner that participating in a 5K would ALWAYS be a problem.

Later, I started to think that however blunt and awkward my words were, maybe they actually were true. After all, if you are a competitive runner, shouldn’t a 5K always be hard? If it’s not hard, aren’t you doing something wrong? And even if you are a little child who isn’t running competitively, isn’t three miles a long way to go?

I thought about what Jesus said to His disciples the night before He died: In this world you will have trouble. Jesus was speaking of something far more serious and enduring than a 5K though. He was speaking of what we would face in a life lived for Him. He gave a certain warning that trouble and difficulty would arise.

But immediately, Jesus followed it with encouragement. He told the disciples and likewise us to take courage, be confident, be certain, and be undaunted. Jesus promised that He has overcome the world; His words, according to the original language translation, literally mean that He has deprived the world of power to harm us.

What do these words mean for us in the midst of our troubles? The very One who overcame death on the cross is able and willing to see you through your problems, no matter how big, enduring, or complicated they are. No matter what you face, He can and will provide peace in Him. You are safe with Him. You are safe ONLY in Him. He has overcome the world. Let’s go to Him now.

Dear Jesus, the problems in my life are not going away and sometimes I see no way out of them. Please help me with what I am facing today. Lord, You said that You give us Your word so that we may have peace. Please fill me to overflowing with Your peace. Remind me that You have overcome the world and that the problems I face are not new to You. Nothing is bigger than You. In your strong name I pray…AMEN.