Take Heart

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

John chapter sixteen is the turning point in the relationship with the disciples and Him. It is the moment that the disciples see and understand that He is speaking truth and that He knows all things. In knowing all things, He shares with you about a time that will come that will return joy and create rejoice. He shares this so that you will know and understand it when it comes.

Depression and anxiety at times may steal the experiences of joy. The symptoms of depression and anxiety may cloud the experiences of joy. Depression and anxiety may ignite grief and struggle. He knows this. He identified this in John 16:22 when He said: 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. While this was being told to the disciples about the coming of His death and the grief that would follow; it still holds true today in not only the grief of His death that you are reminded of, but also through the grief of the experiences of day to day life. The experiences of depression and anxiety, that sometimes are grief. The grief that overcomes you to separate you from Him. But still He reminds you, that there will come a time that the joy will return. This is also true for the experiences of depression and anxiety. The joy will return. In the time of this return, and the rejoicing that will come with it, He shares with you that the "Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (John 16:23). He continues with this through the sharing: Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete (John 16:24). The disciples, including you, were unaware at the time of how making requests to the Father through Him would invite joy into their lives. But notice that, first there is a grieving period. Then, the joy comes.

The title of this section in John sixteen is: The Disciples' Grief Will Turn to Joy (NIV). This foreshadows the coming of joy in the future, not necessarily right away. He shares with them that joy will come, but it does not happen instantly. As this section of the chapter comes to an end, the disciples are now understanding that He is sent from God (John 16:30) and that they understand that the world will give grief. The world will give experiences of depression and anxiety. The world will be troublesome. The world will turn against them. And He is aware that the disciples are starting to understand what is ahead. He is also present with you today as you become aware of depression and anxiety in your own life, or in the lives of those around you. And this all leads to the final verse in John sixteen: 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).

Take heart! While the world will bring trouble. While the world will cloud joy at times. While the world will bring on the experiences of depression and anxiety. Take heart! All of what the world has brought, and will bring--He has already overcome. And the joy returns after the grief.

Scripture:

John 16

John 16:22

John 16: 23

John 16:24

John 16:30

John 16:33

Questions:

What does it mean to have joy in your life?

How does this chapter of John help you to find joy?

What troubles are you faced with currently?

How does John 16:33, "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" change your experiences of depression and anxiety?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your son to overcome the troubles of the world. And while these troubles continue, I know that they are of the world and not of you. Father, I pray for those who are in the troubles. I pray for those who are struggling right in this moment. I pray for those who are lost in the concerns of the world. I know that your son promised Joy and Rejoicing. And I pray that other can keep the focus on that promise. Lord, I ask that those who are in the troubles may they be comforted with your love. May the joy of your son become known to them. I pray this in your son's name. Amen.