There are moments and seasons in our life when we can feel utterly helpless, unable to reach out and grab the thing we desire most. Sometimes life has a way of intruding its will upon us without our permission causing conflict, unrest, and pain. The loss of loved ones. The doctors report of sickness. A marriage left in shambles. Not being accepted into this school or job.

“Do you now believe?”Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 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 16:31-33

In our gospel passage, Jesus is informing His disciples that He is about to leave. He knew that life is going to get rocky for His followers. It will get so difficult that they will feel scattered like sheep without a shepherd. This all became a reality for them. They faced their leader being crucified, they were chased down by the Roman government, and suffered persecution because of their faith.

In the midst of all of this, I am sure there were times when they remembered what Jesus said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” What does this mean? How does this apply to us?

The Apostle Paul teaches us that because Jesus has overcome the world, we too as believers can be more than conquerors. If God be for us, who can be against us? Victory is ours through Jesus.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:31-39

As Jesus said 2000 years ago, we are going to face many trials. But through His power we can survive it. We can be more than conquerors. The loss we have experienced doesn’t have the final word. The doctors report is not the final word. Life does not always unfold the way we desire it to, but Jesus has made a way for us to be more than conquerors.

The Apostle Paul was convinced that nothing could separate us from the love and victory of God found in Christ Jesus. No death, no sickness, or mistake is strong enough to withstand the victory that is offered in Jesus.

Take Heart! Jesus has overcome the world.