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
Life is hard and we go through all kinds of things that aren’t as they should be. Jesus tells us that we will experience thlipsis, translated as affliction, trouble or tribulation. In medicine we use this word thlipsis to describe constriction or compression, as in blood vessels. So this describes a hardship or pressure that is being exerted from outside.
Are you experiencing affliction? If not now, then you will. Jesus said so. The weight of this fallen world hits us in many different ways – persecution, broken relationships, illness, loss. It squeezes and presses us down. Yet Jesus offers hope. “Take heart!” He says. Be encouraged.
There are two things in this passage that offer me great hope and encouragement.
Peace is possible in the midst of thlipsis. Jesus reminds the disciples who He is in order that they would have peace, even while experiencing troubles. I need to remember that no matter my circumstance, peace can be found in Him.
He is the Overcomer. We can feel as if we need to buck up and be tough so the hardships don’t crush us. Jesus doesn’t tell us to overcome the world. He states the He already has! That’s really good news!
Sometimes people are misled because they believe (or we lead them to believe) that becoming a Christian means your problems go away. Not so. But in the midst of trouble, we have a Conqueror and an Advocate. Whatever external afflictions we experience here and now, we can have inward peace. He has overcome and will one day redeem and restore things as they should be.
Paul says it this way,
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles (thlipsis) are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
