#57. John 16:33 Reflection: How can this passage shape your life today? “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.” — NIV Reflection: How can this passage shape your life today? Jesus never promised us a trouble-free life. In fact, He tells us plainly: “In this world you will have trouble.” That's important because sometimes when life gets hard, we wonder if we're doing something wrong or if God has forgotten about us. Jesus tells us that difficulties are part of living in this world—but trouble doesn't get the final word. Notice that Jesus promises peace in the middle of trouble, not necessarily the absence of it. Your circumstances may be difficult. The diagnosis may not change. The relationship may still be strained. The financial problem may still be sitting on the kitchen table. You may not know what tomorrow holds. But Jesus says, “Take heart!” Why? Because our hope isn't based entirely on what's happening around us. It's based on Who is walking through it with us. Mark’s Take: I've learned that faith doesn't mean you never get knocked down. Sometimes life hits pretty hard. The question becomes: What do you do after you get hit? One of the sayings I've carried through life is, “If you can look up, you can get up.” Jesus isn't telling us to pretend everything is fine. He's reminding us that whatever we're facing isn't bigger than Him. Hit the Mark Today: What's weighing on you today? Name it. Pray about it. Then remind yourself: “This is difficult, but I am not facing it alone.” Take the next step. Even if it's only an inch. Trouble may be part of your story—but because of Jesus, trouble doesn't have to be the end of your story.

Are you building a living or building a life? Is your building a living costing you your family? I hope that if you need to change into building a life, you'll start today. Here's some things to think about. We have taller buildings today, but shorter tempers, wider freeways and more narrow viewpoints. We spend more but have less, we buy more but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences but less time. We have more degrees but less common sense, more knowledge, less judgment, more experts, more problems, more medicine, less wellness. We spend to recklessly, laugh to little, drive to fast, get angry to quickly. We stay up to late, get tired to much, we read to seldom watch tv to much. We pray to seldom, go to church to little. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values! We talk to much, listen to little, love to seldom and lie to much. We have learned how to make a living but not how to enjoy life. Is this true in your life? If it's true, let me encourage you to build family fun. Family fun refreshes, repairs and remains! What is it that you do with your kids/grandkids that they'll never forget? Create those lifetime memories every chance you can. You're family will never forget them. I hope you'll share this post with those family members and friends that might need to be reminded of the importance of family. Thank you. #blessandbeblessed, #familyrules