Christ Has Overcome the World

This is Day 11 of my 40 day Lenten Blog.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Is there anything harder to remember than this? In the world we will find tribulation, but we can find peace in Christ, because Christ has overcome the world. That often does not seem true does it? When life is spinning out of control we want that peace so badly, but it seems to be nowhere to be found.

I have realized that when I am searching for that peace but cannot find it, it is because I am not looking in the right place. I call out to Jesus for help, but I don't look to Him. My eyes stay focused on the world and the storm of life circling around me. I'm like Peter stepping out of the boat into the rough seas at Jesus' command and walking on the water. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, focused instead on the storm raging around him, and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus, but did not turn his eyes back to Jesus. Christ saved him of course, but not before Peter had quite a scare.

I imagine myself in Peter's place. Once back on the boat, cold, wet and still scared from nearly drowning, I likely would have said something to Jesus like, "I trusted you--where were you when I was sinking?" To which Jesus would reply, "I was right there beside you. If you had not looked away from me, you never would have sunk to begin with."

When the storms of life rage around me it is hard to stay focused on Jesus. Yet if I want the peace He promises I must look to Him and not the world. For I cannot overcome the world, but Christ already has.

Today's prayer:

Lord, help me to stay focused on you. I cannot make it through the world's tribulations without you. I will surely sink in the storms. But when I do take my eyes off of you to look at the raging seas of life--as I know I will--please reach out and pull me back. Amen.

R.C. VanLandingham is the author of the Christian fantasy novel Peter Puckett & The Amulet of Eternity. He lives in Florida with his beautiful wife and three wonderful boys.