Have you ever noticed that whenever you’re faced with tribulations, trials, distresses and frustrations, that the last thing you think about is being of good cheer? More than likely, you think of everything but being of good cheer. However, Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you!]” (Amplified).
It is certain the reason we don’t think of being of good cheer is because it’s at those times that the devil attacks our minds with all sorts of lies. You see, along with the tribulation, trial, distress and frustration is the thought that you won’t come out of it; that you’re going to die; that God can’t help you; that God doesn’t love you and a whole lot of other lies. But it’s also at those times that we must esteem the word of God. In other words, we must let the word of God lead our minds not the lies of the enemy. Notice, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.” It’s the words that Jesus has spoken to us about Himself that gives us peace and confidence in Him as we mediate upon them. As we do we are able to be of good cheer.
Being of good cheer doesn’t necessarily mean having a warm fuzzy feeling inside, it means taking courage, being confident, certain and undaunted, it means DON’T SHAKE. Why? Because Jesus has overcome whatever tribulation, trial, distress or frustration you’re facing. He has overcome the world. He has deprived it of power to harm us and has conquered it for us! Therefore, when you know that something can’t hurt you, you can face it with no fear. You can be of good cheer!