A devotional by Mirachelle Canada
“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.” —John 16:33 (NIV)
How often in times of unrest have you asked or thought, “How did I get into this mess?”
Most, if not all, people fear being in trouble and want to avoid it at all costs, but it still manages to find them. Once they are in it, they want to get out of it as fast as they can, whether or not it is of their own making. Trouble is a storm they don’t want to face.
When trouble comes, most question it and compare it to others that don’t seem to have any troubles. But even those that appear the happiest, most content, and most blessed people have trouble in their lives. No one is immune to trouble. In fact, Jesus Christ tells us in John 16:33 (NIV) that trouble is guaranteed to find you. So, why must we endure trouble?
We live in a sinful world where trouble can come at us from many sources: the act of sin itself, conflict, emotions, and reactions to difficult life situations. And sometimes trouble can blindside us when it is least expected. Yet, Jesus tells us to “Take heart!”
Sometimes we call on God to get us out of our trouble and wonder why it feels as though He has left us in it for too long or abandon us in it. That’s what happened to Jesus Christ’s disciples when an unexpected, turbulent storm came up while they were crossing a sea. Jesus was in the boat with them but they were still terrified! To their shock and dismay, Jesus was asleep. Few people can sleep peacefully through a terrible storm. But Jesus could because He knew that as quickly as a storm can form, by the power of God, it can cease.
Yet, we still tend to doubt during times of trouble. Why? Trouble is a test of faith and endurance through Jesus Christ. During trouble, even Jesus’s disciples panicked and doubted the power of who was with them, despite the fact that they had already witnessed Him do miraculous things! Much like we do when trouble comes and we call on God to help get us out of it, the disciples woke Jesus and begged Him to rescue them from a situation they were sure could kill them, asking, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38 NIV) Of course he does! Jesus cares about everything, especially saving us from ourselves.
To aid his disciples, first Jesus addressed the origin of their fear and quieted the storm. Then, in turn, he questioned their fear and lack of faith. He caused them to consider what their fear and doubt was producing. From this we can glean what we must do when trouble comes. Above all else, we must have faith and put our trust in God. Resist fear and lack of understanding of our situation and look to God for guidance and wisdom.
Jesus Christ has the power to change our situation at the right time because of our faith in Him. If our faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20-21 NIV), it can take care of the trouble in our lives. And even if we can’t yet see the outcome of our trouble, He has promised to overcome them because He has and will continue to overcome the world.
Let’s Pray: Lord, help me in times of trouble to have faith in you. Teach me how to trust you in every circumstance. Overcome my fear with your mighty power to calm the storm in and around me. Thank you, Lord, for every test of faith that brings me closer to you. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
*Note from Alexis: Mirachelle’s devotional message reminds me of this song “Soon I Will Be Done” performed in recent years by Bethany Devine. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater.
Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.
She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.
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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan
"trouble is a test of faith" -- excellent insight!
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