Peace in the Middle of Trouble

Evening Scripture

John, Chapter 16

“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

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. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

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.”

b

Certainly, there are times for all of us when it is hard to feel Jesus’ presence. That feeling may be even stronger in times of trouble. Of course, Jesus promised us we’d have trouble in this world, didn’t he (John 16:33)? But in the same verse he also told us we can take heart because he has overcome the world.

We can only imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus told them he would be leaving them. But as was his way, he followed that with the promise that he was not leaving them alone, that their grief would turn to joy. 

Like the disciples, our journey of faith will often include troubling times and difficult situations. Yet, the promises of Jesus reassure us that we can – we will – find peace in him, even through the storms of life. His calm and peace will guard our hearts and our minds and help see us through the turmoil.

Yes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed during our most difficult times. Lost, even. But the word of God always encourages us to seek our comfort in him. In him we can find reassurance that we are loved and not forgotten, and that regardless of the storms of life, our faith in him will calm the storms and bring us peace.

Remember that fear never accomplished anything. Courage did. Faith did. Let faith – not fear – be your default response.

Prayer will serve as our lifeline to peace in the middle of our trouble. In open, heartfelt communication with the Lord, he helps us release all of our anxieties and worries into his very capable hands. Prayer gives us the strength and courage to confront our worries and fears, finding peace and assurance. We will discover that we can trust the Lord with whatever troubles us. We can lean into his outcomes, knowing that he has a perfect plan for us. 

Trusting God and his plan gives us a firm foundation and allows peace to reign in our hearts.

Evening Prayer

Father,

Thank you for being there for me, even if I don’t always feel you. Help me, Father. Give me strength to feel your presence. Help me to trust you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Help me to cast all of my anxiety on you and feel your peace. Please, Father, make it well with my soul.

Amen

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

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Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

Peace in the Middle of Trouble
Evening Scripture
John, Chapter 16
&ldquo;All this&nbsp;I have told you so that you will not fall away. They will put you out of the synagogue;&nbsp;in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.
I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember&nbsp;that I warned you about them. I did not tell you this from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me.&nbsp;None of you asks me, &lsquo;Where are you going?&rsquo; Rather, you are filled with grief&nbsp;because I have said these things. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate&nbsp;will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin,&nbsp;because people do not believe in me; about righteousness,&nbsp;because I am going to the Father,&nbsp;where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world&nbsp;now stands condemned.
I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.&nbsp;He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine.&nbsp;That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.&rdquo;
Jesus went on to say,&nbsp;&ldquo;In a little while&nbsp;you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.&rdquo;
At this, some of his disciples said to one another, &ldquo;What does he mean by saying,&nbsp;&lsquo;In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,&rsquo;&nbsp;and&nbsp;&lsquo;Because I am going to the Father&rsquo;?&rdquo; They kept asking, &ldquo;What does he mean by&nbsp;&lsquo;a little while&rsquo;? We don&rsquo;t understand what he is saying.&rdquo;
Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them,&nbsp;&ldquo;Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, &lsquo;In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me&rsquo;? Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn&nbsp;while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
A woman giving birth to a child has pain&nbsp;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,&nbsp;but I will see you again&nbsp;and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day&nbsp;you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive,&nbsp;and your joy will be complete.
Though I have been speaking figuratively,&nbsp;a time is coming&nbsp;when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name.&nbsp;I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me&nbsp;and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.&rdquo;
Then Jesus&rsquo; disciples said, &ldquo;Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe&nbsp;that you came from God.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Do you now believe?&rdquo; Jesus replied. &ldquo;A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.&nbsp;In this world you will have trouble.&nbsp;But take heart! I have overcome&nbsp;the world.&rdquo;
b
Certainly, there are times for all of us when it is hard to feel Jesus&rsquo; presence. That feeling may be even stronger in times of trouble. Of course, Jesus promised us we&rsquo;d have trouble in this world, didn&rsquo;t he (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/16-33.html">John 16:33</a>)? But in the same verse he also told us we can take heart because he has overcome the world.
We can only imagine how the disciples felt when Jesus told them he would be leaving them. But as was his way, he followed that with the promise that he was not leaving them alone, that their grief would turn to joy.&nbsp;
Like the disciples, our journey of faith will often include troubling times and difficult situations. Yet, the promises of Jesus reassure us that we can &ndash; we will &ndash; find peace in him, even through the storms of life. His calm and peace will guard our hearts and our minds and help see us through the turmoil.
Yes, it is easy to feel overwhelmed during our most difficult times. Lost, even. But the word of God always encourages us to seek our comfort in him. In him we can find reassurance that we are loved and not forgotten, and that regardless of the storms of life, our faith in him will calm the storms and bring us peace.
Remember that fear never accomplished anything. Courage did. Faith did. Let faith &ndash; not fear &ndash; be your default response.
Prayer will serve as our lifeline to peace in the middle of our trouble. In open, heartfelt communication with the Lord, he helps us release all of our anxieties and worries into his very capable hands. Prayer gives us the strength and courage to confront our worries and fears, finding peace and assurance. We will discover that we can trust the Lord with whatever troubles us. We can lean into his outcomes, knowing that he has a perfect plan for us.&nbsp;
Trusting God and his plan gives us a firm foundation and allows peace to reign in our hearts.
Evening Prayer
Father,
Thank you for being there for me, even if I don&rsquo;t always feel you. Help me, Father. Give me strength to feel your presence. Help me to trust you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Help me to cast all of my anxiety on you and feel your peace. Please, Father, make it well with my soul.
Amen
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.
&nbsp;
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Peace in the Middle of Trouble (John 16)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ecc4c1ce-5115-4f27-b159-b4f000d7ce0b/transcript