This World's Challenges and Difficulties Are Temporary; We Can Have Courage Because Jesus Has Overcome the World

John 16:16-22,33

When you're in the middle of a storm, it can seem like it will never end. Just remember that when you know Jesus He's the peaceful place in the eye of the storm.

Soul Food

John 16:16-22,33

“Jesus went on to say, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.’

At this, some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?’ They kept asking, ‘What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.’

Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, ‘Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.’

Verse 33 - “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.”

Soul Search

• Are you in a difficult and exhausting situation right now?
  If so, is it something you can talk about?

• Do you ever find yourself losing hope that a difficult and challenging situation will be resolved?
  Would you say you have ever given up on someone or something?

• Has a situation that you hoped and dreamed would only be ‘for a little while’ lasted for what seemed like an eternity?
  How did you cope in order to get by?

• When a really hard situation drags on and on do you blame God?
  Do you think He has given up on you or are you prone to think that somehow you deserve it?
  Can you talk about your thought process and why you think the thoughts that you do?

Soul Moves

• You’ve heard the old saying, “God will never give you more than you can handle.”
  Well, first of all, that’s not in the Bible even though many people think it is.
  Consider that God might just give you enough to the point that He knows you can’t handle it so that you’ll turn to Him for help.

• Consider that the weight of things bearing down on you has one purpose in God’s plan: that the weight will drive you to your knees in prayer to call on Him for help.
  Are you at that point?

• If you’ve been doing your best to cope with tough stuff, what coping mechanisms are you using?
  Are those coping mechanisms healthy or are they doing damage?
  Are drugs or alcohol involved?
  Sexual activity with many partners?
  Gambling?
  Shopping?

• If you have been resisting God and have refused to fall on your knees in surrender and humility, do you know why?
  Ask God to show you why you can’t or won’t allow Him to help you carry the weight of the things that are pressing you to the point of hopelessness and exhaustion.