TAKE HEART
Mechelle Holbrook
Today’s Scripture: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, ESV
Theme: Trials and storms will come and yet God is faithful to carry us through them.
TROUBLES
Maybe life has been really hard for you lately. Today’s Scripture verse has been on my heart for the last couple years and is special to me because it reminds me how much God understands and cares: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV).
When I don’t know what to say to someone who is struggling, this verse often comes to mind. Jesus Himself wanted us to know that while we will have trouble in this world, we can also have peace. He doesn’t sugar-coat the trials but reminds us that He has overcome the world. I love how the verse begins and ends. It begins with peace and ends with victory. Jesus reminds us that He has “overcome the world”—even the hard place you’re living in right now.
SEEING GOD IN THE HARD PLACES
Doesn’t it make you sad that Movies at The Cove is over? Me, too! In our final movie, Soul on Fire, we heard the true story of John O’Leary. At nine years old, he was burned in a tragic accident and was given only a one-percent chance of survival. Who takes a one-percent chance and then uses that life to impact so many people? God does! You know as well as I do that it is often in the tragedies and hard times that we see God most clearly. Even though we don’t always like those parts of life.
THE REAL HERO OF THE STORY
The story is not just about John O’Leary. Just like every story in the Bible, the main character is really God, because He is the only One who can truly overcome the world. God also placed wonderful people in John’s life to encourage him and help him fight: his family, the medical team, Mr. Buck, and many others. Through each of them, God provided strength, hope, and encouragement. This true story reminds us that God often uses ordinary people to help others overcome extraordinary challenges.
WHAT WILL YOU DO ON MONDAY?
At The Cove, when we do a service run-through each Thursday, we gather to hear and consider the message before it’s preached on the weekend. We offer feedback and encouragement, but as we debrief at the end, we’re always asked the same question: “What are you going to do with this on Monday morning?”
That’s always the hard part: making a sermon relevant and applicable, so that people can actually put it into practice. So, here’s what I hope we do with the message we’ve received this week. Ask God to help us believe His Word and accept the peace He offers. Trust that even though this world is full of trouble and sorrow, Jesus has overcome the world. Allow God to use us as instruments of encouragement to help others fight the hard battles they face. Get up and fight. Take heart. Believe that He has overcome the world.
Consider me as just a friend, trying to “take heart” as Scripture tells us, alongside you, and asking God to use my life to make someone else’s life better. At the end of Soul on Fire, John said, “Say yes to life.” We only get one life—the life God has given us—and every day is a gift. Don’t waste it living defeated by the troubles of this world. In the movie, John also said that the most powerful weapon in the world is a soul on fire. I couldn’t agree more. A person whose heart is surrendered to God, filled with His peace, and trusting in His promises can impact the people around them in ways they may never fully realize.
And if you don’t know how to do that, I’m reminded of another favorite verse: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).
Don’t let this world get you down. Cling to the promises of God’s Word. Can you hear Jesus saying what John’s father said to him? “I love you, son or daughter, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Can you hear Jesus saying what that medical staff said to John? “You’re going to walk, and I’m going to walk with you.”
Make It Personal: What are you going to do with the message this Monday morning? Will you believe God’s Word and accept the peace He offers? Will you trust that even though this world is full of trouble and sorrow, Jesus has overcome the world? Who might God be calling you to encourage this week as they fight a hard battle of their own? And what would it look like for you to say “yes” to the life God has given you? If you need someone to encourage you, we are here for you.
Pray: God, thank You for the many volunteers who faithfully used their gifts and talents during Movies at The Cove to encourage others and point people to You. Thank You for these precious people and their willingness to serve. Thank You that even though this world is full of troubles and sorrow, You have overcome the world. Help me believe Your Word and accept the peace You have given me. Use my life to encourage someone else and help them fight the hard battles they are facing. Show me how to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Help me say “yes” to the life You have given me and live it with courage, purpose, and faith. Let my soul be a soul on fire for You. When I feel discouraged, remind me of Your promises. Help me hear Your voice saying, “I love you, son or daughter, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” And when the road is difficult, remind me that You are walking with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:18
Weekly Memory Verse: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14, ESV