Be Cheerful
“Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Our Lord Jesus wants our lives to be cheerful. On three different occasions, He encouraged His disciples to ‘be of good cheer.’ And we really do have reasons to be cheerful.
The first reason to be cheerful is because your sins are forgiven and forgotten in Christ. Matthew 9:2 Because of Calvary, your faults and failings will never be used in judgment against you. John 5:24.
The second reason to be cheerful is because we are not fighting for victory but from the vantage point of victory. ‘In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’ John 16:33.
And the third reason to be cheerful is because Jesus will be with you no matter what life throws at you or who comes against you. Like the terrified disciples on board a storm-tossed boat, He will be there when you need Him.
You have His word on it: ‘They were troubled… But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”’ Matthew 14:26–27.
Peace isn’t the absence of storms. It is knowing Christ is with us and ‘nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God… in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:39.