“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
Saints, He has overcome the world and we will soon be with Him. In this world people are beset by many problems and tribulations. Some of their own doing and some by simply being born. Christ promised us many blessings by following him, but he also prophesied trouble, difficulty and persecution. The reality is we have to receive the whole counsel of God and not just the stuff that feels good or soothing. There are many reasons to be concerned on this journey of life, but truly – none to fear.
“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was
afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither
was I quiet; yet trouble came” (Job 3:25-26).
We all have lingering fears and doubts in our hearts that we harbor. Taking heart means taking control of this. More specifically, take heart means to gain, aquire or capture courage. The underlying axiom behind Jesus statement, “…you will have trouble…” is simple; trouble will be a feature of your life and it will come to you in many forms. Financial, health, relationships and in other unforeseen ways. Trouble means to disturb, to create unrest, tribulation, frustration and disruption.
We live in a world where we have done our best to create restful, insulated lives- because the pursuit of peace and happiness is a natural desire. When we are faced with trouble, calamity, and distress we have a command to follow. The fiat from God is always the same: “Fear not! Take heart. Be strong and courageous.” We are never instructed to come undone or fall apart at the seams, even when it seems we can’t do anything else. Now the command does not change, but as fragile creatures, we rarely live up to this. We may grieve, weep, become angry and frustrated, but that is natural and part of the process. The key is to keep believing God through the process.
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One way to overcome fear and anxiety is to simply look at the outcomes and paralysis it creates and how it places worst case scenario thinking at the forefront of your mind. Fear is natural and it’s presence requires courage. It can instruct us and make us concerned about real and present threats and dangers but we cannot allow fear to turn us into cowards. Being afraid is not the problem- it is how you deal with it that matters.
It is impossible to be human and not feel fear. The secret is to reduce it’s power to one of concern, a concern you will have to DEAL WITH- but not alone- unless you foolishly choose to resist God’s instructions. By refusing to yield to it, you will find peace. The Apostle Paul tells us in Phillipians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
Final thoughts – cowardice is a sin, a form of self-indulgence, a choice to give into a primal emotion without challenging it with the weapons God has supplied. Take heart; take courage and take back any and all areas of your life that you have yielded over to fear. God loves you with fervency and sincerity.
Thanks for all of the responses. Obviously we are not captives to fear; it’s a choice.
Excellent article, really appreciate your definition of concern: a legitimate problem or vexation that you DEAL with instead of avoiding with the infinite help of our Lord through prayer. No wonder we can do all things through Christ!! Thanks bro!
Hey Hakim,
As you know and many know, I have dealt with anxiety my entire life. I know that it does not come from God. I know that he states take heart, because we will have trouble in this world, but will be with him again.
The idea of cowardice being a sin resonates with me. Mom always taught me that you have to face your fears head on. Also, I’ve had a hard time with change, but change is the only constant in life and I have learned to embrace it. One of the hardest battles I have overcome.
Very good piece.
Amazing word Hakim! Im sure this speaks to many of us in many ways and circumstances, But do not fear is right bro. The Lords word and love is is true, strong and is BIGGER than anything we can ever go through…( Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your enurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.)James1:2-4.(God blesses the people who paitently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.)James1:12…..Amen
Thank you Hakim! I needed this reminder today to leave ALL in God’s hands in spite of what appears to be in front of us. SURRENDER is the word I remind myself of constantly when facing challenges. There is no better place to lay down our troubles than at the feet of Jesus! Thank you for the encouragement as we travel this road of life. God bless!
Hakim, I am encouraged by your post. As Christians we know that trouble can be a way to strengthen faith. It seems fear would be the opposite; a corrosive element that breaks down faith. Specifically, when you pointed out that fear or cowardice was self-indulgent, I am reminded of how many people (myself included) who substitute new fears and worries when the big problems pass. It becomes a sort of comfort to have anxieties that are perceived or exaggerated, to point to as reasons why you can or cannot address an issue head-on or let it go. Our Faith should compel us to extinguish all fear. Thank you for a wonderful and insightful post.
Hakim,
Nice piece! No matter how much we attempt to avoid these inhereted challenges (fear, sin and others) its a true testiment to the prophesy we are beholding. The original premis (Adam/Eve) to this form of life practice is what triggered the play ground for us today. My personal challenge daily is to remember the prophesy and watch the validation of it while faithfully navigating the adversity through scripture that supports physical and mental action to minimize the impact. Keep on Prayin!
Amen, Hakim! God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear. We must honor Him and the plans He has for us by moving forward in faith.