Freedom in the midst of troubles

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33


Just got back from an appointment with my kids' diabetes doctor. Pretty wiped out. (My youngest, Olivia, has had Type 1 diabetes for about 4 years now, and my oldest, Taylor, was just diagnosed in February.)

As the doctor looked at their individual blood sugar levels over the last few weeks, it was confirmed that Olivia is struggling with highs, and Taylor is dealing with lows. Sounds a lot like life, doesn't it?

I watched as my 10-year-old girl almost cried due to the frustration of trying to keep her hormones in check, while my 16-year-old young man joked and laughed his way through options of dealing with something called "exercise delayed syndrome."

Freedom, anyone? Sure didn't feel like it sitting in that small, badly-wallpapered room. All I wanted to do was grab my kids, bolt out the door and hide them in a pain-free, trouble-proof bubble. (Parents, do I hear a hearty "Amen!"?)

But that's not how life works. And that's certainly not what the Word teaches us.

In the midst of diabetes, disease, death and despair, Jesus does indeed promise freedom. Call it peace or courage or strength, but at its root, it's simply called freedom. Not freedom FROM all these troubles -- at least not yet. But freedom IN the middle of all these heartaches.

For we as followers of King Jesus know that He has overcome all of these momentary afflictions at the cross. So while we wait for the day when all things are made right again, we really do trust that His grace is sufficient for the day that He's given us.

And maybe that's even better than a bubble.

Praying that His peace is more than a match for your troubles today!