Take Heart

"In troubling times, may the Peace of God be your portion."

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace. In tis world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" - St. John 16:33 

In the midst of uncertainty, our minds tend to wonder. Wonder on the possibilities of what can happen as result of what is already known. "What if this happened?" "What if this comes of it?" "Suppose...?" The mind takes a walk on a journey that may or may never happen, has or has never even taken place. Not to mention, when uncertainty is mixed with troubling times, whether for yourself or someone else.

St. John 16:33 is found in between chapters thirteen and seventeen of the book of St. John, with chapters which is called "The Farewell Discourse" by many theologians. In these chapters of encouragement and comfort. Chapter 16 itself, Jesus Prophesies of His death and the disciples' desertion of Him. He speaks of times when the disciples will literally suffer . There are two significant things to realize from verse 32 however, after all the trouble to come that Jesus has spoken to those who follow Him about: (i) We will face troubling times and (ii) He has already won the victory and therefore so have we! Troubling times at times include sadness, grief, despair, depression, bewilderment, confusion among many things, but there's a beauty in what can coexist with trouble - Peace!

The greek word for Peace denotes an abiding, a resting in God knowing that yes, there is no certainty; Knowing yes, your mind is limited to what is known; Knowing yes, that it may feel lonely, yet knowing and resting in yes, God... is... in... control! In moments of uncertainty, fears and doubts, Peace can be yours! In fact, it is apart of the salvation package and being in Him you already have access to it. If you are not in Him, you are definitely missing out, accept Him; Come taste and see that your Creator is Goooooodddddd!!!

May in troubling times, the Peace of God be your portion. May you be driven to knee city. May you not forget that God is still speaking through and even beyond the scriptures (but all inline with them). May you never forget that God sees and hears your concerns and there are people who God will send and at times already existing in your life to comfort you. Even when you feel lonely, remember, God is with you (St. John 16:32). God's heart is intentional. His ways? Beyond pure! Take heart! Even in what seems like the worst, He is still ggooooddd!!!

Take heart, He is in control!