Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Promise: You will have trouble!

John 16v33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus does not give rash promises: each word of each promise is carefully thought out. Jesus is not an optimist with unrealistic expectations, nor is he a master of positive thinking, but rather, a master of the truth. Hence Paul, writing to the Philippians, when talking about anxiety and peace says, “Whatever is true … think about such things… And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4v8-9). In God, the truth is good news.

Realistically and with accurate foresight, Jesus promises trouble. But it is limited: limited to this world. There is a world beyond this one, for which we are destined. In that place, there will be no trouble. And so, in all our troubles, we can “take heart”, we can be encouraged, strengthened and hopeful. This trouble is temporary: Jesus may take it away sooner, but the longest it can last is until death separates me from it or until Christ returns.

And here lies our peace even in the present. The whole of John 16v33 is, “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.” Our peace lies in these truths:

• Jesus told us we would have trouble, so this is not a surprise.
• Jesus went through trouble including a horrible death and was raised to life.
• Jesus has thereby overcome the world and what it brings.
• Jesus has promised the great resurrection to eternal life in His new world for all who trust in Him.

I pray that God will limit your troubles and even set you free from them right now. But this I know for sure, in the words of Paul, “We are hard pressed on every side, but … we do not lose heart … Though outwardly we are wasting away … Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4v8-17)

With love and blessing,

Roland