"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NKJV
Have you ever walked along a very busy street, say for example in the heart of London. The noise is tremendous. You practically can't hear yourself speak, let alone think. When we walk down a lonely country lane, the comparison is amazing. One can hear birds calling to each other and the sound of running water from a nearby stream. The air is much fresher too. It's a joy just to walk along a track looking at the wildlife. For myself, it is much easier to concentrate in a quiet environment; there is a peace that makes you feel refreshed; it is faraway from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Every day life can be like this. The pressures that we have forced upon us, can be colossal. Work places can be stressful with people working at a fast pace and too busy to stop for their lunch, so they work through this. Just a visit to a supermarket can be stressful with people rushing around getting their shopping as if the store is going to close in a few minutes. The people at the checkouts are no different, as they practically throw the shopping over the counter causing you to anxiously try to bag all of this up before the assistant finishes and is waiting for you to pay. Stress, stress and more stress.
We have to do something about all of this before it takes over our lives. We spend half of our lives battling with anxiety - road works, traffic lights, car parks, shopping queues and ever-rising costs. Life can be overbearing at times. So what is the answer? Well, Jesus gives us the answer above. In the Amplified, the text reads: 'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding].
Note the highlights here, firstly Jesus mentions 'perfect peace'. This means 'Shalom, Shalom' ‘You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You' (Isaiah 26:3). This perfect peace is Hebrew and implies: health, happiness and well-being. As one focuses on this peace, it helps give us the ability to be filled with joy and good cheer. Joy, we know is strength and this will help carry us threw whatever is thrown at us.
You need to realise that this tribulation is not only for the End Times, but is very present now. Daily we face problems, sorrows and obstacles. As long as we keep our mind stayed on Jesus, He will help us through whatever we may face.
Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.
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