WORLD OUT OF SYNC

John 16:33: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

As Christians, we should expect continuing tension with an unbelieving world that is "out of sync" with Christ, His gospel, and His people.

Right now, at this very moment, so many are going through trials.

The world has become a very difficult place over the last 4 years or so. We have all faced many difficulties of one kind or another.

It is very true and a fact that in our lifetimes, we will face challenges and changes that will be uncomfortable. It's just a normal part of life.

Change is something that comes to us all in one way or another.

Some of the things we have faced have been at the hands of evil people. Others have come about in different ways; loss of a loved one, loss of a job, health problems, etc.

Regardless of the means by which they came, they have been very difficult, and in many cases leaving scars that will last a lifetime.

When changes do come, it can really mess us up if we're not walking closely with God and letting Him guide us through those changes.

Many of us have been changed by these things, and we will carry those changes with us for many years to come; maybe even until the day we depart this earth.

Sometimes we long to go back to the period in our life before those changes came and made us feel like we had the wind knocked out of us.

The Israelites did this when they cursed Moses for leading them out of Egypt, as they cried for meat and bread to eat while longing for something familiar to hold onto.

They were actually willing to go back to being slaves in exchange for what they were familiar with.

Our human nature leads us to believe that going back will bring comfort.

In reality, it will do the opposite.

If we do try to go back, we will only feel more lost. And those lost feelings will make us feel more distant from God. We will usually also feel disappointed when we realize what we’ve done; turning from God’s path to pursue comfort instead of obedience.

This is why it's critical for us to stay close to God, listening intently for His voice.

We need to heed His instructions and let Him walk us through each new thing, one step at a time.

Even though our minds may be racing with stress and anxiety, He will comfort us if we let Him.

And as we surrender our will to submit to His will, He will bring peace that will surpass our human understanding, allowing us to embrace the change and stop looking back.

We must never forget that in all of the difficulties, there has remained one Constant who keeps us anchored; Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior.

He told us that there will be trials and tribulations. He spoke it plainly. But in that same verse, He also told us to "take heart". Why? Because He has overcome the world.

As children of the Most High God, we are not guaranteed an easy life of only pleasures and immense happiness. Instead, we are assured that when we go through the difficulties, He will be with us, walking us through each step.

So, it is in this that we take our comfort, knowing that even in His own difficulties, He overcame them, giving that victory to us as well.

Jesus told His disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone.

So, take heart today. Hold tightly to Him in the midst of your storm. He will not lose His grip on us.

In that, my brothers and sisters, take heart, find your rest and your comfort.