In This World, You Will Have Trouble

David Reyes

“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.”
John 16:33 

Jesus’ words are so relevant right now. Take heart! 

I want to encourage you today with this, “In this world, you will have trouble.” Oh man, isn’t that true? Trouble kinda seems like an understatement right now. And that doesn’t really seem like encouragement, but let me explain.

This is about as crazy a time as I can remember. I’ve never witnessed a complete global shift into chaos in my lifetime. Depending on your age, you may have witnessed something similar, or even worse, but this is it for me. I’ve never been held hostage, never felt shamed by others because I’m not wearing a certain facial accessory, never thought much about racism and how it affects those around me and I’ve never had to think about aliens more than 2 times in a month. 

So this is a crazy time for me. But… I will take heart! I will take heart because Jesus overcame this crazy world. Yes! He won the most important victory, He beat death! And that’s all that really matters, isn’t it? I mean, “what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” 

And in modern times, we could read it this way: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall win every argument, and lose his own soul?”

Nothing. Absolutely nothing! What’s important in this life is that which is eternal. Your soul and your neighbor’s soul are way more valuable than “common opinion”, “social acceptance” and “moral high ground.” Your eternal soul is so valuable, so… take heart! “In this world you will have trouble.” You can count on it! But you can also count on this, supernatural rest and peace can be found in God. 

So, care for your soul and your neighbor’s soul. Cause in the end… that’s all that remains!