“I (Jesus) told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart because I have overcome world.” (John 16:33). “Don’t lose heart… though our outer self is wasting away; our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Cor.4:16
Lord Jesus, we are such selective listeners—hearing what we want to hear from you, and editing other stuff out to fit our definition of “the abundant life.” You are so patient and kind. You never tell us to seek “trials and sorrows,” but we have to play “loosey-goosey” with your Word to avoid your clear teaching about life between your resurrection and return.
“Here on earth” we will experience headaches, body-aches, heartaches of all kinds… failures by people we love, opposition from people who don’t love you, the weighty-shame of causing sorrow for those that we love—Jesus, you anticipate and prepare us for every scenario. Thank you.
It’s only because of you we don’t totally lose heart. Heavy hearts, crushed hearts, fearful hearts, angry hearts—and at times, hardened hearts… yep, to lesser and greater degrees, we have all “been there, done that.”
Today, by grace and faith, we choose to obey you, Jesus—to obey the command to “take heart.” You haven’t just overcome everything in the world; you also overcome everything in us. So we “take heart” by taking our multi-need hearts to you. There is no bigger welcome, safer place, or better cardiology care. Thank you Jesus. So Very Amen.