He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 (ESV)
Facing hardship, rejection, or loss can be overwhelming, but these difficult moments are also opportunities to encounter God’s power and love in a deeply personal way. In our struggles, we can discover that the peace that Jesus offers goes beyond anything we could comprehend, and His presence is always with us. Through the Holy Spirit, we begin to realize that no matter how hard life gets, God remains in complete control, offering a joy and assurance that rises above our circumstances.
This peace Jesus offers doesn’t deny the reality of our situation or provide a means of escaping from it. But it is a supernatural strength that enables us to endure, even when the things going on around us don’t make sense. And there’s certainly a lot going on in the world today that doesn’t make a lot of sense! But the Spirit’s presence within us brings a deep security that nothing in this world can shake. The peace of Christ is otherworldly!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. – James 1:2-4
James tells us that we will face many trials, but he implores us to embrace these hardships with a certain attitude that is far different from the way the world perceives them. Why? Because James understands that these hard times can help us grow and mature in our faithful walk with Christ, for it’s often in these difficult circumstances that God’s peace within us shines brightest!
So even when the pain feels unbearable, let us give thanks! As difficult as these moments are, they will draw us nearer to the Lord and deepen our faith in ways we could never expect. God can use these moments to teach us something wonderful about His grace and mercy, for He never leaves or forsakes us.
“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
“It Is Well With My Soul” ~ Horatio Gates Spafford (1873)
Former Blackout Artist 