Take Heart
Right now, I am going through some major dietary changes with the hope of healing my gut as a result. While I eat very healthy, my body has not been responding as it should. Years of high stress have taken their toll on my system.
The changes are very hard to do and mean that I must omit some favourite and staple foods from my diet. As I read the labels of the foods in my kitchen, I frequently get discouraged as I discover another food I cannot eat. The six months needed to heal my gut seem like forever.
In the midst of this struggle, someone reminds me to take heart. These words are meant to be words of hope. They remind me that these food challenges will not be forever. The dictionary describes this phrase as meaning to gain courage, confidence, and hope. They are words of optimism that the future will be brighter.
In the Gospel of John Jesus uses the words “take heart” as well:
“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 NIV)
What immense words of hope! They remind us that Jesus is bigger than any of the problems that we face. We have a victorious risen Saviour who fights on our behalf. The devil might try to wreak havoc in our lives, but Jesus is more powerful.
Of course, we humans wonder why we must face trials at all. Some religions even preach that if you believe in Jesus then you will have prosperity all the time. But the verse in John indicates otherwise. Jesus is very clear in saying that in this world we will have trouble. It’s not a maybe or a perhaps; it is a certainty.
In an episode of The Chosen, the apostle Peter is trying to comfort another of the disciples. He speaks these words: “He (God) allows trials because they prove the genuineness of our faith and strengthen us.”
These words are crucial to our having optimism. Like me going through a painful diet with the hope that my health will improve, so we must hope that going through difficult aspects in life will make us stronger and better and help us grow in the faith.
I know, we don’t like it. Sometimes when we think of Jesus saying “take heart” we want to respond with grumpy words of why we have to have so many challenges in the first place. Yet, Jesus is always there to walk with us through whatever happens.
Isaiah reminds us that God has us covered and He has a plan for us.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV)
We cannot see the future as God can. He knows how the story ends and how best to get us there.
Whatever you are facing today my friend, I pray you will take heart. Remember that our Lord Is amazing in His power and mercy. He will give us His peace to sustain us.
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