“Built to Endure”
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
“I have 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 the world.” — John 16:33 (NLT)
Life has a way of throwing us for a loop. Sometimes it seems bad news after bad news, struggle after struggle, setback after setback is just waiting around every corner. A family member is sick, and the doctors have not found the problem. Finances are running low with payday still days away. Work is piling up on the job and you can’t catch your breath. Relationships are strained; the neighbors are at it again, your tolerance is running low, and you feel as if you are about to implode.
Have you ever had to go through a period like this? I am talking about a time when it just seemed as if things were never going to get right. I am sure that you have, and this passage reminds us of this truth. “Here on earth, you will have many trial and sorrows.” It is not at all comforting to know that trials and sorrows are to be expected, but it does give me joy to know that Jesus understands my struggle. And if He understands my struggle, I am confident that He has a plan to fix it.
Jesus is teaching His disciple here in this passage that life, in general, comes predisposed to a certain level of hardship, but not only that, living a life in Him adds a layer of struggle that at times will seem impossible to overcome. But here is the good news; He has sent us a comforter to not only help us but to go before us and set our situations right.
The prognosis for the loved one won’t be life threatening. Payday will come and you’ll know that because of Him you made it. All your work will get done and you may even get a little something for your trouble. Relationships will mend, the neighbors will quiet down, and you will be back to your old self before you know it. So my encouragement to you today is, stay faithful and trust in God. He is with you, He knows your trouble and He has already worked it out.
“I have 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 the world.” (John 16:33, NLT)
Jesus endured, you can too.
You are an overcomer! Have a blessed and beautiful Friday.