Take Heart

“In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Yesterday I had lunch with a long time friend who was in my first wedding, Hilda Tsang. She was sharing with me about her son in law Phil Nozaki whom many of the young adults from Wintersburg know. Several years ago Phil had a kidney removed due to a rare genetic disease and then shortly after that had 25% of his other kidney removed. Phil is only 48 years old has stage 4 kidney failure.

Yesterday Phil flew from LA to Maryland where he is being seen by doctors at the National Institute of Health. He is undergoing treatment there in hopes of prolonging his life. Phil is married to Kristin and together they have two young children ages 3 and 5. Last night I texted Phil to let him know that I’m praying for him.

In John 16:33, Jesus said, “in this world you will have tribulation.” Even for Christians we may ask, “God where are you? Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this?”

In the book of Job we see that Job was blameless, upright, a man who feared God and shunned evil.” Yet he too endured the loss of his health, wealth, and family members. Jesus didn’t say you might have tribulation, He said, you will have tribulation.

The comfort that we find from John 16:33 is that we can “take heart, Jesus has overcome the world.” Jesus does not abandon us or leave us alone in the midst of our struggles. If we remember that Jesus has won the ultimate victory, we can have peace in the midst of the most troublesome times.

Thought For The Day: Why did Jesus tell his disciples to take heart? How does Jesus’ words that he has overcome the world comfort and encourage you?

Today’s Prayer Focus: Please remember Phil and his family in prayer. Remember others in our church who are going through difficult times of trials and tribulations. Deo Volente.