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
Summer sessions for high school football is the last time I can remember willfully and intentionally walking into something I knew was probably going to bring me some level of physical discomfort. At least, that's the first thing that comes to mind--there are certainly other instances for me I'm sure. Things were made very plain to me; a proverbial hell loomed ahead and it was fully supplied with enough whistle blowing, spit and "do it agains!" to go around for days. I was not naive, and still, I strapped up, sprinted out and ran around like a mad man in one-hundred degree heat. For what? As far as I can remember, I did it for what I got when it was over--an opportunity to do the exact same thing, but instead have it actually count for something. This made any discomfort I'd endure peripheral.
After a morning conversation with a brother, and an evening spent reading a book that's been plucking at my heart strings, I can't help but be reminded that Christianity is bound up with the same idea--adversity is inevitable. I also can't help but be reminded that the misery of two weeks spent toiling in the boiling heat is much easier than following a perfect King while inside of an imperfect body adrift in a world that's gone amiss. Trouble is promised (John 16:33), and yet, when it comes I'm wildly amnesic. I fumble around in my brain for some sort of explanation or conclusion I can come to that will explain why a day, a week, or a month has been riddled with difficulty. This is not a physical distress, it's an inner anguish and fatigue. Physical pain withers in the flame of the troubles of the heart and the mind.
In the world you will have tribulation. . . (Jn 16:33)
This is the "trouble" Jesus is vehemently driving at when He promises His disciples that they will have tribulation in the world. The word 'tribulation' is also used to mea pressure. Following Christ is always a matter of the heart. Loving people is always a matter of the heart. Living selflessly is a matter of the heart. So, when trouble comes it always comes to put pressure on my heart. Temptation to sin does not attack my arm, or my chest. Instead, it attacks my heart. What does my King tell me to do? He says, "But take heart. . ." The phrase actually means "to be of good cheer". Not confused, or discouraged, or depressed that I've failed. Gladness is the call for all instances of trouble. Smiles, singing, laughing, praising, and worshipping are right because of what's be done and because of what's ahead.
The truth is this; Christ would endure the greatest promised tribulation and misery so that we could endure the promised tangible and intangible trouble that comes with being broken people who are progressively being transformed into new and newer creations. "Take heart," Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." What a heroically confident statement! Jesus hadn't yet gone to the cross to overcome the world and make the promise true, and yet He knew His suffering along with His victory was inevitable.
As certain as we can be that the pressures of the world are coming in with the next sunrise, we can be more sure of the victory of the Cross and the Resurrection over those troubles.
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