Take Heart!

“In this world you will have trouble

But I have overcome the world

So take heart

Take a breath

Let Me lift that heavy weight up off your chest”

This was the chorus from Matthew West’s song playing nonstop in my head this morning. I love being encouraged before I even open my eyes.

The inspiration is clearly from John 16:33, also the theme of my recent retreat.

“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.”

Now this message is proclaimed AGAIN in the verse of the day. God is clear in scripture that we will have trouble in this world. No matter how much we love Jesus, we live in a broken world, and we will face death, despair, and disappointment. What God promises, over and over and over again through Scripture, is that He will never abandon us in our trouble. He will guide us, shelter us, fight for us and carry us through whatever we are facing. Remember, “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31.

It just occurred to me that these promises are only possible if you seek Him in His Word. And if you don’t believe, these promises, spoken by the Creator of the universe directly to your heart, are just words on the page of a book. Is there someone in your world who needs to hear this today? Be bold and declare the Good News!