The Peace That Overcomes
04/20/2025
“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 (NIV)
These words were among Jesus’ final statements to His disciples in the upper room, before His upcoming arrest. It was a moment thick with tension and uncertainty. The disciples were confused, scared, and unsure of what would come next. Yet Jesus, fully aware of the cross before Him, speaks peace into their chaos. Not by promising the absence of trouble, but by offering Himself as the source of peace in the trouble.
Let that settle in: “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat life. He doesn’t say, “Maybe,” or “If,” but you will. Life will hurt. People will fail you. Circumstances will shake you. But in the same breath, He says, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Imagine being in a storm on a boat, waves crashing all around. You can’t stop the storm. But Jesus is in the boat with you, calm, steady, in control. That’s the kind of peace He offers. A peace not tied to conditions, but to His presence.
There’s a story about a man who painted two pictures representing peace. One was of a serene lake, perfectly still, surrounded by mountains. The other was of a waterfall thundering down a rocky cliff, with dark clouds and lightning. But behind the waterfall, a tiny bird sat on a branch, undisturbed. That was the picture the artist titled “Peace.”
Why? Because true peace isn’t the absence of trouble—it’s the presence of Christ.
Here are a few ways you can experience His peace in the middle of life’s troubles.
Write down what troubles you’re facing today and name them.
Pray over each one, giving it to Jesus and asking for His peace to rule your heart.
Memorize John 16:33 as a weapon against fear and anxiety.
Encourage someone else who’s facing trials and send them this verse or a word of hope.
Instead of asking God to remove all your problems today, ask Him to reveal His peace in the middle of them. Look for moments where you sense His presence even when life feels overwhelming.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being honest with us. You never promised us an easy life, but You did promise us Yourself. Help me to take heart today, not because life is easy, but because You have overcome every challenge I will ever face. Be my peace in the chaos, my hope in despair, and my anchor in the storm. In You, I have victory. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“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 (NIV)
These words were among Jesus’ final statements to His disciples in the upper room, before His upcoming arrest. It was a moment thick with tension and uncertainty. The disciples were confused, scared, and unsure of what would come next. Yet Jesus, fully aware of the cross before Him, speaks peace into their chaos. Not by promising the absence of trouble, but by offering Himself as the source of peace in the trouble.
Let that settle in: “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat life. He doesn’t say, “Maybe,” or “If,” but you will. Life will hurt. People will fail you. Circumstances will shake you. But in the same breath, He says, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Imagine being in a storm on a boat, waves crashing all around. You can’t stop the storm. But Jesus is in the boat with you, calm, steady, in control. That’s the kind of peace He offers. A peace not tied to conditions, but to His presence.
There’s a story about a man who painted two pictures representing peace. One was of a serene lake, perfectly still, surrounded by mountains. The other was of a waterfall thundering down a rocky cliff, with dark clouds and lightning. But behind the waterfall, a tiny bird sat on a branch, undisturbed. That was the picture the artist titled “Peace.”
Why? Because true peace isn’t the absence of trouble—it’s the presence of Christ.
Here are a few ways you can experience His peace in the middle of life’s troubles.
Write down what troubles you’re facing today and name them.
Pray over each one, giving it to Jesus and asking for His peace to rule your heart.
Memorize John 16:33 as a weapon against fear and anxiety.
Encourage someone else who’s facing trials and send them this verse or a word of hope.
Instead of asking God to remove all your problems today, ask Him to reveal His peace in the middle of them. Look for moments where you sense His presence even when life feels overwhelming.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being honest with us. You never promised us an easy life, but You did promise us Yourself. Help me to take heart today, not because life is easy, but because You have overcome every challenge I will ever face. Be my peace in the chaos, my hope in despair, and my anchor in the storm. In You, I have victory. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments