Taking Heart

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Happy New Year! I have enjoyed a few days off from writing. My workplace essentially begins a shutdown before Christmas and returns to operation after New Years. During my break I was able to reflect & pray about what to do for new year resolution. My resolution is Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. No, it is not to try to catch all the Jimmy Buffet concerts live or on the net. Rather, it is to post new devotionals on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The time off from writing gave me a chance to take a break, reflect and just basically listen to what God was telling me. In long for directions on these things it is helpful, at least in my experience, to simply listen and look around. While I was doing just that, up popped a wonderful path forward.

We have been involved in the 2011 Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years 2012 season. I can't say this year has been any easier or any more difficult than other years. Many things in the lives of Pam's family and my family (our family) have been resolved over the last year. A few things are still hanging out there. And I am sure that new things will pop up. However, that is not the case with some of our dear friends. We all, to one degree or another, are having complications in our lives because of adult children. I once heard a bit of wisdom from a friend. "Little kids have little problems. Big kids have big problems." To one extent or another this has held true in my experience. Regardless on the age, or relative magnitude of the problem we can look back at John 16:33. Jesus tells us "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Jesus reminds us that we will have tribulations. Merely being a believer will not eliminate all the strife from our lives. Knowing this, we can be prepared in prayer, study, and connection with fellow believers to strengthen our selves for what may come in the future. And the most comforting aspect of this passage is that Jesus has overcome the world. He has lived, in our world. He has suffered as we suffered, and was tempted as we are tempted. He experienced a cruel death on the cross. He also was resurrected from death and we are promised the same resurrection. Our greatest fear, separation from God because of sin and death has been eliminated by Jesus' blessed resurrection.  We have the faith by the Holy Spirit to keep focused on what is promised so that we do not lose sight of the inheritance we have in Christ. We have the peace offered us by God the Father through Christ (Philippians 4:7) to see us through life's tribulations. And that makes all the difference when contemplating what is ahead of us in 2012. Up next, what can happen when the "Ghost of Christmas Past" choses to visit in a very cruel manner.

PRAYER: Lord Of All Creation, Your peace beckons us when we are troubled. Our lives are full of opportunities for fear and doubt to creep in and divert our attention from You and to destroy our faith. Help us Dear Lord to stay the course. Guide us with the light of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, so that we will not be lost. We ask this in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. One God, now and forever. Amen