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“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (TNIV)

You will have trouble. Hmm, we don’t really like to read that do we? I don’t know for sure but I imagine that the disciples wouldn’t have been that thrilled to hear it either. Have you noticed that trouble strikes when you least expect it? You know what it’s like, life is going smoothly and then along comes trouble in it’s many forms; the unexpected late-night knock on the door; the words that you never expected your partner to say; the doctor with the kind smile and the negative report; the child you said the hurried goodbye to as they rushed out the door, never dreaming that it would be for the last time. Trouble, trouble that you never saw coming; that’s the way it was for the disciples, they didn’t see it coming either. They’d spent three years with Jesus; they’d seen prophecies fulfilled and miracles performed, and then he tells them to expect trouble. As followers of Jesus we’d like to think we can live happy, long and trouble-free lives, safe from the trials and tribulations of the world in which we live, but are not a part of. While the disciples didn’t see it coming Jesus did; in John’s Gospel Jesus farewell was spoken as if the resurrection had already taken place, and as we reflect on Jesus words we can be comforted by the fact that the Holy Spirit is not bound by time, the words of comfort spoken to the disciples then are just as relevant today.

Take heart, how do we take heart? How were the disciples able to endure the suffering and persecution that eventually came their way; troubles different to those we encounter but troubles just the same, how did they take heart? Jesus. They had encountered Jesus, the one who would suffer once and for all of humanity; following the resurrection a group of scattered frightened people became fearless; when trouble came they chose to see the world from the victory of Sunday rather than the pain, suffering and defeat of Friday. He died for them and he died for you. So the next time life blindsides you, take heart, the peace the world has to offer is nothing compared with the peace Jesus offers. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, this world is not all there is.

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Sticks and Stones...

Sticks and Stones...

Unless you’ve been living on another planet you would no doubt have heard about, or watched “The Voice;” a phenomenon that has taken Australia by storm and has left its competitors floundering in its wake. The first thing that struck me when I watched The Voice was not the incredibly talented singers, but the words spoken by the judges; words of encouragement, affirmation, support and honesty; words intended to build up, not to tear down; constructive criticism meant to lift someone in order to bring out their best. I’ve heard many people remark that they are tired of hearing people being put down, ridiculed and mocked, all in the name of entertainment, and I suspect this is one reason for the shows success.

Anyway, it got me thinking, have you ever noticed that you can remember what someone has said, long after you’ve forgotten something they’ve done?

Words are powerful, and yet often we can release them into the atmosphere with little thought and even less care. How easy it is in the heat of an argument to pull out a sharp word and plunge it into someone else’s soul; how tempting to pass on a juicy bit of gossip rather than forget you ever heard it.

How many of us have been a victim of ill-chosen, careless words?

How many still smart from hurtful words spoken by a teacher or a parent? The old saying “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me,” is rubbish; names hurt. Many years ago I encountered a young woman who was the victim of verbal abuse; she told me there were times when she wished her husband would just hit her, because physical pain was something she could tolerate.

Whilst opinions vary research has shown that we speak around 16,000 words per day.

That’s a lot of words and a lot of responsibility. I have to ask myself, how will I use my words? How are you going to use your words? Will you use them to build someone up or tear someone down? Will you use them to encourage people to reach their goals or will you use them to snatch away their dreams? The bible tells us that the power of life and death is in the words that we speak; now there’s a daunting thought. So this week as you journey through life be conscious of the power of your words; choose them wisely and use them wisely.

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. Proverbs 15:4 (The Message)