This is a word of encouragement for those who have been disturbed by all the unsettling news in the world around us.
“Be Of Good Cheer”
This is what Jesus said in the Bible.
If you read the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, He was not easily moved by evil reports. His heart was fixed, trusting in the Father (Psalm 112:7). Outside of speaking to injustices, and addressing the hypocrisy of the church leaders of His day, Jesus only spoke and did good things. The Bible says that Jesus was anointed “with the Holy Spirit, and with power (Acts 10:38),” for the purpose of “doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” The devil tries to oppress us with words that evoke fear in our hearts. Yet, we have a choice of how to react to fear.
As Believers, we have the same Holy Spirit and power that Jesus had. Therefore we fight words of fear, with words of faith. The Bible is filled with God’s words of faith. God gave us His words to heal and deliver us from any destruction that might be plotted against us (Psalm 107:20). We don’t meditate on what the news reports say. We meditate on what God says.
Jesus left us with an example of how to find peace in this troubled world. How else could He have endured the pain of being scourged and executed, and still have enough compassion to say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)?” It is the Holy Spirit who speaks God’s words to our hearts, no matter the suffering or confusion. Therefore, let this mind be in you that was also in Christ (Philippians 2:5).
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might pave peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33