Bad news, unexpected deaths, disappointments, heartaches, sickness, division. Is this what Jesus meant when He said “in this world you will have trouble, tribulations, trials, distress and frustration?
This morning, as I glance through my Facebook feed, I’m confronted with all of this. My heart aches for friends, family, and even my own personal situation. That inevitable question of “why” pierce my heart. Why didn’t God heal? Why didn’t He provide? Why wasn’t there a different outcome? Why?
But you know, God never promised everyday would be sunshine. He never guaranteed we would not have to walk through difficult times. He never said, “Quote your magic words and everything will be okay.”
No, quite the opposite. He said mourning will endure for a season. He said in this world trouble is visited on everyone. He said to glory in tribulations (implying we would have tribulations).
Yes, boys and girls, life will disappoint you. Trouble will come. Death is inevitable. While He did not promise everyday would be a bed of roses, He did promise this:
Joy comes in the morning.
He will never leave or forsake you.
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.
Every tongue that rises against you shall be condemned.
All things work together for your good.
He has overcome the world and has deprived it of its power to hurt you.
You may be knocked down but you are not forsaken.
You may be crushed but never destroyed.
There will be days when we ask why, but we are never in despair, never without hope.
If this morning you find yourself disappointed, mourning, fighting, struggling, standing on the left side of the promise, take heart. Joy is coming. Better days are straight ahead. He is producing perseverance in you. He is developing your character in the middle of this. A hope that will never disappoint is being birthed in your heart. Be confident my sisters and brothers, He has overcome the world for your sake to make you an overcomer.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
John 16:33