Take heart…
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because i have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Three phrases that are meant to sustain, comfort and encourage.
“Have peace in me.
On earth you will have trials, sorrows. But, take heart, I have overcome.
Whatever confidence the disciples may have felt from Jesus’ assurance, the words were not enough to prepare or sustain them through the events that were about to unfold.
In the chaos of the arrest and crucifixion, their faith was shattered.
Traumatized and confused, they ran in fear, life was abruptly filled with chaos and despair.
They had invested their lives, hope and trust in this man and now all hope vanished.
The disciples in their lament, descent into misery.
Confused, dazed and grieving, all they could say was, “We thought that he was the one..“.
While Jesus is declaring the greatest victory in the history of man, ” It is finished!” , the disciples, in their hearts, were saying, all is lost.
You too will face times when your faith is not what you supposed it was.
In the moment of shock, confusion and fear, your trust will be shaken, and you will doubt whether your faith was ever true.
But when you finally pause and gather your thoughts, remember: that while you may falter, he never will.
He does not change.
He will always come to you in your brokenness and give you a new and even greater revelation of who He is. He will restore you into His peace.
While the events of life may scatter and confuse you, He will not leave you.
You are in him.
Will never forsake you.
He has overcome the world for you.