What Did You Expect?

“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

When my son was around two, he thought he saw his daddy from behind. He started running toward the man, and when he rounded the corner, I saw a horrified look on my son’s face. The man was not his daddy – not at all what my son was expecting.  The man looked very similar to my husband from behind, from his build to his bald head, but one glimpse of his face revealed the truth. I explained to the man that my son was a little surprised and upset because he was not who my son had expected him to be.

When you became a Christian, did you expect everything to go your way? Did you expect an easy life? Paul says in Philippians 1:29, For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also suffer for him. David Platt, author of Radical, says it this way. “This is not your typical evangelistic invitation. Bow your heads, close your eyes, pray to receive Christ, and you will receive suffering.”

That really does not sound inviting, does it? But the truth is clear. Jesus told us what we could expect from this world . . . trouble!  

So what do we do? For one, we know the end of the story. We can trust that in the end, we will be victorious. Though that is wonderfully comforting, what do we do in the meantime? Should we hide out to protect ourselves? I definitely think the answer to that question is NO.

As we live for Christ, we will most certainly encounter opposition. Living for Christ is the opposite of self-protection. Remember what Jesus says in John 16:33, “in me you may have peace.” Though we live in a world that is full chaos, we can have the peace that only comes from Jesus.

How do we experience the peace of God? We experience Him! How can we experience Him? Spend time with Him in prayer, in Bible study and meditation, and in worship of Him.

I don’t expect my life to be free of pain or difficulties, but I do expect to have the peace that passes my understanding, because I have Jesus.

Julie