When Should I Panic?

Jesus was very clear in so many passages on this, but we'll sight only one today. Jesus said in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Let's really get a good look as to what Jesus said, God Himself...He said "These things I have spoken to you..." He is about to speak to His children, the children of God. He pours His first and special interest into His children who are striving to get through a daily life in a world that is gone crazy. Thank God it is not out of His control and most of all in the midst of all the yelling, if we will sit quietly in His presence we can hear Him above the chaos speak to our hearts. He has a message for you that is much more important than anything the world news will give you.

Then there is the content of His speaking..."...that in me ye might have peace..." In other words, because He is doing the speaking you can be sure you will have peace, period. If we can't rely upon the words of the Almighty God, Jesus Christ, then we have nothing and no one to rely on. His Word is always the final Word. He said...and that settles it. We can rely on His promise.

His very words in John 14:27 says it all, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Then in our passage today, He continues..."...In the world ye shall have tribulation..." He won't lie to us or try to deceive us about this sinful fallen world. It is full of trouble to wade through on the way to heaven just as He did all the way to the cross and then, oh my, the cross and on back to heaven. "Tribulation" is a single word He uses to describe a thousand things that happen daily in this corrupt chaotic world, and some of those troubles from physical to spiritual will touch all of us right to death itself. Think of the smallest and the worst in this life you have suffered and the potential of other things and you will be identifying what He has just said. But please don't despair. Read on.

He says "...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Paul cried out in frustration with dealing with the world and his sinful self in Romans 7:24-25 "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord..."

He too, the greatest of the Apostles of Jesus, even had his moments, but the Holy Spirit reminded him of truths such as we have already read about the sovereign care and words of promise from our Savior, Jesus. "...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

If you have repented and received Jesus as the Christ, your Lord and Savior, you can claim the promise of these words and look up in your walk with courage and joy until your "up-looking" life to Him finds you one day in His holy presence. You will arrive, you know, because He promised to finish in you the salvation you received of Him. He keeps it in you and keeps it secure for you in heaven (Phil. 1:6; Heb. 7:25).

So, when should you panic? No need to ever panic. You have the Chief Shepherd taking care of His sheep, you and I. 

Charles Empey is the Pastor of Cove Baptist Church, Orange, TX.