Don't Give Up! by Aije Barnes May 2 Issue 1 Vol 4

This word of encouragement has been on my heart for a few weeks and it just might be the word to you today. 

 

Life is a journey and trials and troubles are part of the course. This is what Jesus told us in the bible: “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).  The King version reads: 'be of good cheer, I have overcome the world'. 

Here Jesus has already told us that we will definitely have trouble in this world. However even in these troubles we can have peace through the knowledge and trust that he has already overcome the world, so cheer up! This takes an act of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. 

The apostle Paul also says we are destined to have trials as shown in the following scripture: 'so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. (1 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)'. 

 

Trial and troubles no matter how unpleasant they may be, should not unsettle you or disturb the peace that the Lord makes available for you if you choose to trust Him. 

 

The Lord has not left us comfort-less during times of trials and troubles. 

 

The scriptures says:

 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 NIV).  

 

Receive God's comfort and be a channel of His comfort to others. The Lord says the following in the scripture which also applies to you:

 

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life...“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. (Isaiah 43:1-4, 18-21 NIV).

 

And again:

 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

 

So be strong and don't give up!

 

Shalom (Peace)