I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
Ever feel like everything and everyone is against you? Is your life sometimes a battle? That’s normal and even good. The natural state of things is not order and peace but mess and strife. Things naturally deteriorate, just like if you ignore your room, eventually the mess will overwhelm it. So don’t be shocked when life gets hard; just decide whether you want to let the battle ruin you or improve you.
Your natural state is a mess too—sinful, not holy. Nobody is holy because they can’t help it. They are holy because they stand and fight. They refuse to let the world win and make them into its likeness. Jesus made it clear: “In the world you’ll have trouble” (John 16:33). When you feel like the world is against you, say, “No duh. What else should I expect?” Then decide if you will roll over and accept the attacks or refuse to let them knock you down. When you choose holiness, you choose to say, “Hit me with your best shot. I have a King who has overcome, so I’m not afraid.” Every time your flesh cries out in fear but your mind chooses to believe God and to take him at his word, you are winning the continual battle for holiness. So remember Jesus’ words: “I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).