Take Heart!

The world has changed and it’s going to keep changing, but God never changes; so we are safe when we cling to Him.  ~ Charles R. Swindoll

The world really is changing.  In the last few months, we have seen changes we never imagined and never wanted to see.  Hardworking people have lost there jobs through no fault of their own.  Businesses are making the difficult decision to close permanently because they couldn’t survive their temporary closing.  A virus that we can’t control has made it’s way around the globe.  Friends and family are isolated from one another.  Fear and distrust abound.

And, yet, there is good news to be found in the midst of the mess.  God doesn’t change.  God is in control.   And God will bring us through this challenging time.  Read with hope and assurance these words of Jesus, written in the Book of John: 

“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

I find those words quite comforting.  Do you?  Although they were spoken and written down long ago, they are incredibly appropriate for our current situation.  In this world we do have trouble.  In fact, the world we live in today is facing a variety of troubles.  But take heart, Christ has overcome the world.  Christ can overcome whatever we are facing today, and whatever we will will face tomorrow.  Through Him, we can become people who overcome.  Through Christ, we can become beloved children who know God’s peace.  And through Him, we can become disciples who share God’s words of assurance and peace with those who desperately need to hear them.

Yes, it’s a weird and challenging time we are living through, but if we remember Who is in control, we can push our fears and worries aside.  And when we do that, we can begin to see the world a little differently.  The light of hope will break through the darkness and we will be able to find all that is still good and beautiful and right.  So, take heart.

Be blessed and well!

Matthew West is one of my favorite Contemporary Christian artists. He recently wrote a song of encouragement, based on John 13:33, and I want to share it with you. I hope you will take the time to listen.