“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have tribulation.  But take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

           Tribulation is a state of great trouble, profound suffering, or intense distress.  It encompasses the wide range of severe hardships, emotional pain, and systemic suffering that we experience throughout our lives.  Such as chronic or terminal illnesses, loss of a loved one and the grief we have afterwards, mental and physical struggles, financial problems, overcoming our vises such as drugs, alcohol, sexual impurity, indulgences, persecution for our beliefs and discrimination.  This scripture tells us, “In this world you will have tribulation.” And that is true.

           How we handle it is the key.  For while suffering and tribulation are an inevitable part of our lives, our capacity to endure and find hope allows us to move through it.  This scripture reveals to us that it is found though our relationship with God.

           Our relationship with God helps us move through tribulation by shifting our focus from the problem at hand to God.  For God gives us courage, when we are weak; when our troubles seen overwhelming, He gives us hope; when we are suffering, He gives us strength; and when pain and heartache paralyze us, he gives us peace and hope.  

Through prayer, reading the Word, listening to Christian music, and being still God is manifested.  He infuses us with the internal power needed to endure—to keep putting one foot in front of the other, to keep moving forward.

This scripture shows us that when we focus on God our focus shifts away from the overwhelming problem and redirects it toward God’s character and God’s strength.  And we begin to comprehend these words, “take heart I have overcome the world.” And the truth of these words, become our mantra.  God Bless. Amen.

denise