“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

           The world is not an easy place for Christ-followers to live. Think about it, we live in hostile territory that is ruled by Jesus’ arch enemy, Satan. We suffer consequences for following after Jesus, in that we have also become Satan’s enemies. In this spiritual battlefield, we have affliction, struggle, and suffering. There is pain, persecution, and distress in all aspects of our life-physical, emotional, and spiritual. 

           Yet there is a way to look beyond the circumstances of our combat. Jesus has given to all those who are “in Him” the promise of peace amid turmoil. The word peace does not mean a life without conflict or suffering but rather a sense of Shalom or wholeness that transcends current circumstances. This wholeness is only available to those who are “in Him,” not to those “in the world.” Jesus said that “in Me you have peace, a peace you don’t already have, and you will keep on having peace.” The peace that Jesus offers is not an emotional rollercoaster, but a constant state of being. 

           So how can we have peace in a hostile world? Christ-followers have peace because Jesus has overcome the world. In other words, there is no battle because it’s already been won. Paul said it best concerning this spiritual victory, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

           Instead of feeling defeated by our tribulation, trouble, and trials we can have peace through these difficulties. Because we have spiritual victory over the temporal matters through the Lord Jesus Christ. May we not live in turmoil as victims of the world, but instead, live a life in wholeness and peace. Jesus has already overcome our enemy.

 Pastor Cary Wacker