“In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” John 16:33b

It's a nice thought... 

... to think that because we are Christians that we should have a nice, problem-free, easy, happy life earth-side.

 It's a nice thought, but it is also a naive one.

Where did we get that idea from?!

No-where does Jesus tells us that will be the case. In fact, He very clearly told us the opposite.

"In the world you will have tribulation..."

In Scripture Jesus tells us that people would hate and revile us because of Him. (John 15:18-25)

Countless times He tells us that we will experience suffering.

 "Well, Belinda," you might say, "that's all rather demoralising. What's the point of following Jesus then?"

I hear you!

Here's a few thoughts to ponder..

"...Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

Throughout Scripture we are told Who the Victor over all troubles and evil in this world is: Jesus wins! He has won. 

We are told that we don't go through these things alone. Or at least, we don't have to. (We get to choose, though.)

As we walk in faith and trust in and obey the Father, we will experience His overcoming, victorious Spirit at work in our minds, lives and situations. We can experience His companionship, comfort, compassion and His overcoming power.

Without Him we are without hope. 

I don’t know about you, but I find hard days hard - and that’s with Jesus. I can’t imagine doing life without Him! And I don’t want to! The harder would be way harder. 

In Him we have the hope and reassurance that He is with us. We cannot save ourselves and we cannot solve all our problems meaningfully by ourselves. 

In Him we are filled with hope. And this is a hope that overcomes everything the world, the flesh and the enemy can and may throw at us.

In Him we gain something better than happiness. 

We get JOY. 

Joy is not dependent upon all circumstances lining up in a perfect line. Joy is something we experience and enjoy independent of experiences, relationships and circumstances lining up just how we would like them to.

A close cousin of joy is contentment - finding satisfaction even in unsatisfying situations. If the apostle Paul can say this from a place of deprivation and persecution, surely we, with the Lord’s help, can learn this trait as well.

In the world - tribulation;

In Me - peace.

In Him we can receive His peace. 

This peace is not just mere peace from chaos or trouble, but a phenomenal, inexplicable peace even in the midst of pain, trouble, or suffering. This is the peace that we’re told is beyond what could be understood or reasoned. 

(See Philippians 4:7)

In Him, we are promised that God can take the bad, mad and sad things in life and work them for a good purpose.

We are reassured that anything the enemy intends for harm against us, God can work for our good (now and in the future), and more than that, for His Kingdom purposes. (See Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:38)

Satan will not get the last say.

In Him we grow and become strengthened.

Just like resistance training and exercise builds our muscle, stamina, physical fitness and heart condition, God uses uncomfortable, tough, stretching and down-right painful times to build our faith muscle, our perseverance, our spiritual fitness and refine and strengthen our heart. 

If we cooperate with Him, our character becomes more shaped and conformed to the image of Christ that we are called to be. (see Romans 5:3-5; 8:29)

God never wastes anything.

 

In Him, we know there is a better beyond. 

We have the promise of paradise with Him on the other side of this earthly experience where indeed there will be no pain, sorrow or death. 

"...There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4b

Whether or not we trust in Jesus and walk in obedience to Him while we're earthside, we're going to experience suffering. However, if we choose to love and follow the Lord, then that suffering can become productive, not destructive.

And beyond this life, we become inheritors of a big, beautiful, joyful life with Him eternally, whilst those who reject Him will continue to suffer eternally.

I know what I'm choosing to choose.

How about you?