“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13,14)
Certain realities of life can discourage and sadden us. One such fact is: “In the world ye shall have tribulation …” (John 16:33) Jesus doesn’t want us to be under any illusions when it comes to life in this world.
At some point or another, every one of us will be hurt, disappointed, mistreated, etc. What is in question is how we will handle the trouble we face. Will we overcome or will we be overcome? Will we return evil with evil, or will we overcome evil with good?
After Jesus tells us the bad news, He tells us the good news: “… but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The phrase “be of good cheer” is perhaps better translated “be of good courage.” What should encourage us as we face a world filled with the possibility of pain? Should we boast of our ability to handle it all? Or should we have courage because we have a Savior who overcame the world?
Christ alone is our hope of goodness and glory. We are to rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3) Apart from our Savior we have reason to be sad and discouraged. We can only fail. But through Him we shall do valiantly. We can bless when we are cursed. We can love when we are hated. We can pass through the hottest fire without being burned. We can weather the fiercest storm without going under.
If Christ is the Captain of your soul, be of good courage. He will strengthen your heart to overcome, even as He overcame.