Many people believe that if we love God and love others as we love ourselves, things will go easy, or “be right” for us in this world. However, the reality is that, while we reside on this imperfect planet, no one is exempt from experiencing times of distress, difficulty, disappointment, or frustration. Our Lord Jesus told His disciples, whom He loved, that they would encounter troubles and problems on this earth. After making this seemingly depressing statement, Jesus spoke out with great optimism, telling His followers to cheer up. That is, He directed them to be brave, positive, firm, fearless, and undisturbed-because He had overcome the world!
By overcoming the world, Jesus has conquered and defeated the negative power that seeks to discourage and trip us up, while experiencing tribulation and trials. Through the Holy Spirit, and Living Word(Bible), the “spirit of our mind” can be renewed by hearing Truth-opening the way to use our trials and tribulations to create positive and progressive spiritual development in our hearts.
If you are in the midst of tribulation and trials, be of good cheer. He has power to work it all out and bring blessing to you at the same time, because He has overcome!
“In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you]” (John 16:33b).
