“I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Trouble is literally defined as “difficulty or problems.” Trouble looks different for each and every person. For you, it may look like an untimely injury in the middle of an important athletic season. Trouble could look like a family member battling cancer, or mental illness. For others, trouble could be a relationship or financial crisis. Right now, trouble in our world looks like a whole lot of uncertainty, chaos, illness, and fear. It’s easy to take on the world’s problems and let them become all-consuming. Chaos is flooding our world, but it doesn’t have to consume our souls.
Breathe. That’s right, inhale, exhale.
You are not the one who is in control.
Jesus tells us in the book of John that we will have trouble. It’s not an if statement. In this world, we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with control. I don’t want anything left to chance so I will do all I can to avoid uncertainty. It is times like these when I have to throw in the towel and surrender my entire life over again to the Lord. I cannot control the world around me, but my Savior can. I cannot control what will happen tomorrow, but my God has been ready for this moment since the creation of the world. Today I find peace in my God, who is constant in the midst of chaos. I can rest in the Lord who is in control, even when the world around me is filled to the brim with uncertainty. I trust you, Jesus, with my trouble, please use it to shape me into a better reflection of you. Today I find peace in my God, who is constant in the midst of chaos.
CHALLENGE
What is the first thing you turn to in times of uncertainty?
What are you holding on to that you need to release to the care of the Creator?
What is one thing you can do today to encourage someone who is facing trouble or hardship?
By Jordyn Edwards | Grand Rapids, MI