By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Fellowship Church

“One of Jesus’ promises that I don’t often want to hear, is one found in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.”  

Flying in the face of much prosperity preaching, Jesus never taught that when we follow Him we will receive health, wealth, and fame. As a matter of fact, he spoke a lot about taking up our cross, suffering, and even being mocked or persecuted for following Him.  

We are, however, also given promises on either side of what Jesus said about receiving trouble.  The whole verse says, “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) 

We can have peace in our troubles because we have the ability to rest in the one who overcame the world.   

What this tells me is that even though I might be going through a difficult time, I am not alone. I might be enduring a struggle, but the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is there with me. And He has overcome. This gives me hope that in spite of my circumstance, I will make it through. I pray that you can find strength and peace in the One who overcame as well.”