Be of Good Cheer!

Verse of the day: John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

God has made, and fulfilled, many promises. The majority of those promises we enjoy claiming, in order to have peace of mind. Well, this verse also contains a promise; one we would rather not claim. In this world we will have tribulation. However, how grateful we can be for this promise, because it is two-fold. Jesus doesn't just tell us of the troubles we will have in this lifetime, but He first promises peace. The kind of peace that can only come from being a born again believer. The peace that exists only when we call upon Him, and become a part of God's family. The peace that the Bible describes as "the peace that passes all understanding"! When we belong to God, and we choose to live according to the Scriptures, we will face ridicule. People will mock us, call us crazy, and criticize us, when we do good to others, when we choose to live right. They will call us fools. Family, and friends, may even forsake us, and turn their backs on us. The enemy, the devil, will use all of that to try and convince us that our choice to follow Jesus was a big mistake. However, it is during the toughest of times that God will show us the strength of His peace. Although the storms may rage against us, we will not be shaken. If we trust the Lord, and hold on to the peace He gives us (knowing, with confidence, that He is with us) the world will marvel at us, and many (even those who mocked us) will desire to have what we have, giving us then the opportunity to tell them about Jesus, the Prince of Peace. So, today, regardless of what we face, instead of focusing on the problem, let us hold on to the peace that Jesus promised we would have, even in the midst of difficulties; knowing that whatever He allows in our life, He will go through it with us, and provide us the peace, joy, and strength, we will need.