That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (TLB)
I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows but cheer up, for I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (TLB)
Shelley Marolla is from Victoria, Australia. In Melbourne, Australia, you can experience four seasons in one day. And everyone has an opinion about which one is the best. Sometimes Shelley feels like her life is like the weather. There are good seasons and bad seasons, good days and bad days. On some bad days, all Shelley can do is think about the terrible things that could happen or how her life will never change.
God, however, invites us to think and live differently. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34 that we are not designed to know what the future holds. All we can do is deal with today's problems and trust God with tomorrow.
If we worry about bad times to come, we can miss out on the good in our lives. Worrying is as futile as staying inside on a beautiful day because the forecast may include thunderstorms. No! Good times are like vitamin D for the soul and sustain us through the tough times.
Jesus said we will have troubles, but he also said in the same breath to take heart, to be confident and of good cheer, undaunted, and filled with joy because he has overcome it all.
Prayer: Dear Lord, give us the wisdom to see what actions we can take today to find and offer joy as we surrender our future to you, in Jesus' name. Amen.