Overcoming Tribulation: Be of Good Courage

Those of us who have entrusted our lives to the heavenly Father in our Lord Jesus Christ will have tribulation and affliction because we live in this world.  

As I write this, some of my brothers and sisters are separated from family; others have lost their jobs by simply standing for the truth of God’s Word; even others live in war torn areas of the world. And perhaps most difficult of all, I know friends who have recently lost a loved one dear to them.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World

Jesus Christ endured all these and many other tribulations and afflictions. He recognized that all of us who trust in him will have tribulation in this world. And he told us how we can endure these things even when it seems at times that we can hardly bear it.

John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer [courage]; I have overcome the world.

We can have peace even in the middle of tribulations because he overcame the world. So be of good cheer, that is, take courage and keep yourself “in him.”

I John 5:4,5:
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Our Faith in Christ

It is our faith in what Christ accomplished that gives us the victory in the tribulations and afflictions of this world. You and I cannot rely on our own ability or works to bring us through anything. It is only by God’s grace in Jesus that we can endure and have the victory in whatever comes our way in this world. Even the great apostle Paul said so.

God’s Grace is Sufficient for Me

Believers in the Corinthian church were comparing leadership, claiming one was better than another. They were glorifying men (their leaders), rather than God. Some of these had put Paul up on a pedestal as a “great man” while others claimed him to be a weak leader.

To straighten this out, Paul had to explain to both sides that he, like anyone else in the church, could only glory in the power he had in Christ by the grace of God, and not in his own strength or ability. He refers here to a thorn in the flesh, a messenger sent by Satan to buffet him. Paul had already asked God three times to deliver him from this attack. Here is God’s answer.

II Corinthians 12:9-11:
And he [God] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

In Our Weakness, We Are Made Strong

At those times when we feel we are too weak, we need to remember the strength and power we have in Christ. To keep ourselves there, we follow the instructions of I Peter 5:6-8. Verse 9 will be the result.

I Peter 5:6-9:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Enduring Tribulations and Afflictions

Here is a simple summary of how we endure afflictions and tribulations from the above scriptures.

1.  Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Don’t try to overcome by your own strength or ability.

2.  Cast all your care on Him.

Philippians 4:6:
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

3.  Stay sober, vigilant (watchful) of the adversary’s devices that would freeze you in fear by his roaring.

4.  Resist steadfast in the faith.

I John 4:17,18:
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of [man’s] judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

5.  Know that your brothers and sisters have endured the same kind of afflictions and have overcome by God’s power in Christ. It’s comforting to know that others have made it through and they can help you through it, too.

II Corinthians 1:4:
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Perfect, Established, Strengthened, Settled

The God of all grace, after you have held your ground in His power and love without succumbing to the fear of the adversary, will make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you—in Christ!

Our Hope in Christ

You will be more firmly anchored in the hope of Christ’s return because you’ve experienced how God has always given you the peace and strength to endure through every tribulation and affliction. So you have stronger confidence in Him that He will not disappoint you when it’s time for the great gathering together to meet the Lord in the air!

Romans 5:1-5:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

In this world we are certain to have tribulations and afflictions because we stand with God in Christ. So we remain ever mindful that nothing can separate us from God’s love and power that we have in Christ.

Romans 8:31-39:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Be of good courage, my brothers and sisters. In Christ, we have overcome the world!