Be of Good Cheer!

Christ Has Overcome the World

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33 NKJV

As Christians, we have a dual existence. We are in Christ, and we are in this world. On the one hand, we have the peace and joy of the Lord. On the other hand, we experience hostility in the world. That’s because the world system is the enemy of God. Our enemy, Satan, controls the world. The world rejected Jesus’ message and ministry. Nevertheless, we have a reason to be cheerful: Jesus won the victory over the world, for He has overcome the world. Even in challenging times, be of good cheer, remembering the victory is already won.

One of Jesus’ most repeated statements of encouragement is, “Be of good cheer.” It means “Cheer up!” The Lord warned us that trouble would come. So, when trouble shows up, do not succumb to your fears. Instead of going around telling people about your problems, be of good cheer. You are in Christ, and Christ has overcome the world. That means you have also overcome the world. Rejoice in this victory, which is a source of great joy and hope.

Although safely hidden away in Christ, you are still in the world. The world will persecute and abuse you. It hates you, and it wants to overcome you. The world wants to conform you to its system. It does not want you to be different. But be of good cheer! You have overcome the world. The Bible says, “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Your faith is a powerful tool that can conquer any challenge, instilling you with a sense of empowerment and confidence.

Be Happy, For Jesus Has Overcome Sin

When the people heard that Jesus was in Capernaum, the whole town came to listen to Him preach. The Bible says in Matthew 9 that four men brought their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing. However, they could not get near Him because of the great crowd of people. So, they broke through the roof of the house where He was preaching to let down the bed on which their friend was lying. Remarkably, Jesus forgave the man’s sins, resulting in his healing. Imagine the joy of his friends. Jesus knew this man’s sickness resulted from sin, and he needed to know that God had forgiven him, inspiring his friends to be of good cheer.

Unforgiven sin could be stopping you from receiving your healing or breaking that addiction. If you need healing or you are trying to overcome an addiction or break a bad habit, ask God to help you. Instead of dwelling on that bad habit or your addiction, be of good cheer. Go to God and tell Him about your problem. Don’t be ashamed to let Him know that you messed up.

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, he hid from God. He said he hid because he was afraid. When we sin, we do the same thing that Adam did: we hide from God. The reason we hide is that sin makes us feel unworthy to approach God. Sin makes us afraid of God. But be of good cheer! Christ has overcome the world. By faith in Christ, know that God forgave your sins.

Cheer Up! Death is Defeated

A ruler of the synagogue named Jairus came to Jesus, asking Him to heal his twelve-year-old daughter. While Jesus went on the way to heal Jairus’ daughter, He was interrupted by a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. The woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and immediately received healing in her body. Jesus told the woman her faith had made her well, and Jairus heard Him. While Jesus was still speaking, one of Jairus’ servants came and told him his daughter had died. But when Jesus heard it, He told Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” This assurance was a reminder to be cheerful.

Everyone was wailing and crying for Jairus’ daughter when they arrived at the house. Jesus told the people to stop crying, for the girl was not dead but sleeping. But they began to laugh at Him. Jesus put everyone out of the house, except Peter, James, John, and the girl’s father and mother. He took the girl by the hand and commanded her to arise. Immediately, her spirit returned, and she sat up (Luke 8:49-56; Mark 9:18-25).

When you encounter an impossible situation, don’t be afraid; only believe, and everything will turn out fine.

Prayer
Father God, my prayer today is that I will walk in victory. I pray that You surround me with Your peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding; I pray that You guard my heart and mind against the evil one. I am confident that no weapon formed against me will prosper. Although the world may come against me and trouble may surround me, I thank You that no harm will come upon me, for I have overcome the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.