Be Encouraged

"Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

John 16:32-33

If Jesus wanted to encourage us, He would simply say, "I encourage you." Instead, in today's passage, we read that He says, "Take heart." Encouragement is our own decision, a responsibility that Jesus places on our shoulders. Jesus has already conquered the world. He has already done what we could not do. Taking courage is our job.

This ain't easy, because Jesus leaves us the great responsibility of facing our adversities, not with a peace based on our strengths, our resources, or a false hope, but in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the power of His Word, and the promise of His presence in us.

Many of us live in pain or shrink from challenges because we seek earthly peace instead of divine peace. But if we recognize that in Jesus we have peace, and that He conquered the world, we know we can be conquerors in any situation, because we live in Jesus and He in us.

So whatever happens, man, we need to live with that attitude that says, "let me live in peace," because what we're facing cannot steal our peace if we do not give it permission.

Be Nice. Grace Wins.

FMJ