“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NASB)
It is funny how often when I play with someone for the first time that at some point during the round they say, “I usually play better than this.” I am not sure if it is a golfer’s expectations, pride, disillusionment, or faulty memory; nonetheless, way too often we think our rounds of golf should be better than they add up to.
When I was a junior golfer, my brother and father diagnosed me with OCD (On Course Depression). My OCD almost never failed to rear its ugly head. At some point during the round, no matter how well I was playing, I would spiral into an ugly, dark place from possibly just one costly shot. Fortunately, I grew out of that (in my 30s), but every now and then I can feel it rearing its ugly head. The older I get, the more rampant I have realized this condition is among those crazy enough to love this masochistic game called golf.
I also find this to be more and more true among Christians. We all experience dark times, even the eternal optimists. Sometimes, even, our struggles are not because of something we did. They can be inflicted upon us because of a spouse’s unfaithfulness, a child’s poor decisions, or a business associate’s greed. In these dark times, the last thing we want to hear is a Bible verse that says, “all things work together for good” or “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
That is why I believe today’s scripture is so helpful. Jesus never promised that everything in our lives will instantly get better and be smooth sailing when we follow him. Instead, he acknowledges our present and future trials. Then he offers grace, peace, hope, and even victory, within our trials.
Jesus never promised that everything in our lives will instantly get better and be smooth sailing when we follow him. Instead, he acknowledges our present and future trials.He calls us to follow him, because he has secured the outcome in our faith. If this is not a personal struggle, maybe you need to hear that the outcome of your loved ones is secured, regardless of their trials if they put their faith in him. He shines light on our darkness—all our darkness. That is why Jesus came, to be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32, NIV).
When Jesus began his ministry, he read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19, 21, NIV).
This may be applicable for you personally or to the circumstances of someone close in your life: your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, neighbor, co-worker, or member of your foursome. Regardless, my encouragement today is to not be discouraged by the present circumstances for you or them. Jesus has already overcome them. Our role is to allow God to shine light into our lives or through our lives to others so that nobody in God’s family remains “in dark times.”
Remember, “There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
—
Josh Nelson
May 20, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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