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BY She Reads Truth
When we think about God’s promises, we tend to focus on the blessings: forgiveness, mercy, and eternal life, to name a few. But Jesus promised us something else as well: “You will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33). Read that again. That’s not You might or You may or You could. It’s You will. As sure as death and taxes and God’s love for sinners, we will suffer—Jesus guarantees it.
For many people, God and suffering are not compatible. If God exists, they reason, then there should be no suffering, for how could a good God allow it? But the true God is no stranger to pain. The Son allowed His body to be tormented and twisted by the most gruesome torture device of the ancient world, the cross. And He did so to put an end to the world’s suffering, once and for all. In the same breath that He promised us suffering, He made another promise, one so sure that it was spoken in the past tense: “I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Sin has so wormed itself in and through this world that we cannot avoid suffering entirely. It would be like trying to avoid sand at the beach. But we also suffer in a special way as Christ’s followers. We suffer because He suffered first. And when we endure this life and all it can throw at us, the same way He did, we display our faith that Christ has indeed conquered the world. For “if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him” (2Timothy 2:11–12).
Post Comments (59)
Poppy Waskett says:
May 28, 2022 at 10:05 am
Reading Gods word today brought me to tears. Jesus thank you that you have overcome the world. Sometimes the trials and discouragements of suffering can feel so raw that the joy and peace and freedom of the kingdom feels obscured. But that’s not truth. The truth is that Jesus has won the victory and In my heart knowing that Jesus choose suffering for my sake I am so thankful. Amen to the most loving, powerful and compassionate saviour who knows the very pain we go through and has made hope possible. Thank you Jesus that you speak truth and don’t water down the truth of suffering but tackle it and have victory over it. Jesus is Lord.
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Ashley Cesare says:
January 11, 2022 at 7:49 pm
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Wow! What an amazing Father we serve! What I love to think about most when it comes to Jesus, is that nothing I am feeling is foreign to him. He came to this Earth as a human being. He laughed and he cried. He experienced great joy and he suffered. When faced with life’s challenges, I know He understands what I’m going through. He is so relatable yet so amazing! I can cling to Him in the hardest of times knowing that through his ultimate sacrifice, he has overcome the world. What should I fear, then? I can find my peace in that. I am not alone.Reply
Ashley Cesare says:
January 11, 2022 at 7:48 pm
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Wow! What an amazing Father we serve! What I love to think about most when it comes to Jesus, is that nothing I am feeling is foreign to him. He came to this Earth as a human being. He laughed and he cried. He experienced great joy and he suffered. When faced with life’s challenges, I know He understands what I’m going through. He is so relatable yet so amazing! I can cling to Him in the hardest of times knowing that through his ultimate sacrifice, he has overcome the world. I can find myReply
Ashley Cesare says:
January 11, 2022 at 7:45 pm
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
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Ashley Cesare says:
January 11, 2022 at 7:45 pm
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. – John 16:23
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Claire Faith says:
January 11, 2021 at 2:24 am
This is a great word. We don’t like to think of suffering as part of life but I love that even in the middle of the suffering God promises, he also promises to not leave us, but will guide and be with us!
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Emily McGhee says:
September 22, 2020 at 8:07 am
This is a great word. It’s good to understand that we can do all things through Christ. I can endure sickness, I can endure loss of wages, I can endure my dad being wrongfully imprisoned, I can do ALL this with a promise of supernatural Joy. Thank you Lord. Until we meet one day, give me strength to lean into your arms through the suffering.
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Dominique Turnquest says:
May 24, 2020 at 7:00 am
Outwardly we may be wasting away but inwardly we are becoming more like Christ
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