Troubles ...

“… In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”

John 16:33 is a terrific proclamation. An exclamation that cuts through the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

Students wrestle with knowledge they don’t understand.

Business men sway on the thin line between success and failure struggling to stay afloat.

Like merchants on an ancient seas, they watch the wonders that God works in the deep.

He lifts up colossal waves to the sky that crash down in fury.

He melts their courage, and brings low their strength.

What they held pride in, he destroys.

They are stuck.

Their wisdom is spent.

At “their wit’s end“, they cry out to God.

In humility, they cry out for help.

Now, the storm is calm.

He has heard their heart wrenching cry, and will lead them to their desired haven.

God is working in this world; He shakes the nations, and breaks the back of their pride.

He is searching for pure gold in the dirt.

At times, these shakings hit our lives in situations that do not make sense ~ “the perfect storm“.

We try our very best, and still come up short to pay for what we need.

As students, our focus wavers, our social life disappears, our grades suffer,

As business owners, we are shoved not 1 but 2 steps back.

Clients are thrown out of business.

Employees — your friends — betray your trust.

You are left wondering how to rebuild what is lost.

Yet in all these troubles, you take heart.

You call on hidden strength to cry out for help.

You trust in him — to bring you to peace, to rest, and to your desired end.

Gather up strength for another day.

I wait with you in Spirit for His mighty hand is near.

Let us step forward in hope, into tomorrow.