resting assured when the rest aren't so sure

What the 12 is going on in here today?

12 tribes of Israel.
12 apostles of Jesus.
12 days of Christmas.

I could go on, but it's only 12/12/12 today..

Enjoy it while it lasts and remember to get your 12 on.

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John 16:33

³³ I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Jesus never told us that life would be rainbows and butterflies, even for those who follow Him. In fact, He guaranteed life would be made more difficult precisely as a result of following Him.

Whether we follow Him or not, sin will make this life difficult. This occurs in two ways: we are sinned against and we sin against others.  Greed, selfishness, carelessness, anger, hate, and gossip cut both ways. We experience them internally and externally.  We are the victims and the perpetrators of all these.  

This life is full of disappointment whether you love Jesus or not. The point of following Jesus is not experiencing freedom from disappointment, but freedom from judgment.  Do not flee from Jesus because things get tough.  Flee to Him.

May your sufferings today draw you closer to God. May your heart grow softer as your sufferings become greater. The tendency for us all is to become harder and more bitter or resilient the greater the trial we face. It is by grace that we are given faith to overcome this world because Jesus already conquered it.

May God in His mercy grant you faith to believe in Him today as you bear up under that which has got you down. May He be lifted up even in these circumstances where you are already found kneeling out of exhaustion and despair. And since you're down there anyways, may you pray.  May you find yourself in the perfect place of petition in prayer before and under God - not in your own entitlement seeking to be yourself uplifted, but exalting His Name from your knees..