stop the world, i want to get off

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I really thought life would have gotten easier by now?”

There are a lot of influences that contribute to our belief that things should be getting better. The feeling that we have “paid our dues” is one. Another would be the illusion that other people don’t seem to be struggling the way we are. We are also constantly inundated with advertising that is very effective in convincing us that if we invest with the right broker, wear the right jeans, or even drink the right beverage, everything will be great and we will truly enjoy the “good life.”

But it never seems to work out for me that way. What about you?

Let me take this opportunity to remind you of what Jesus said in John 16:33, “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

Jesus reminds us that we are living in a fallen world. People lie, cheat, steal, manipulate, and take advantage, and that’s on a good day. Before you start feeling too persecuted let me remind you that, due to our fallen nature, you and I have also been a source of disappointment, confusion, and hurt to people in our lives. Due to the sin that is in the world, Jesus assures us that experiencing difficulty is something we better be prepared for if we want to live our lives effectively.

The other thing Jesus assures us of is his victory over the godlessness of this world. I think Jesus already made it clear that just because we are His followers it does not mean we are exempt from these difficulties, but rather, we can be “unshakable and assured” and possess “deep peace” in the middle of the difficulties we are facing. Why? Because we know that He has “prepared a banquet table for us in the presence of our enemies” (Psalm 23:5) and He is “causing everything to work together for our good” (Romans 8:28).