Give Up Worry Wednesday: Day 22
Life Can Be Tough!
Day 22: Third week of Lent
(On February 27, in Introducing Give Up Worry Wednesdays we announced our Lenten series, which takes a weekly reflection from a transforming new book by Gary Zimak, Give Up Worry for Lent: 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ.)
I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. —John 16:33
We can always trust Jesus to tell it like it is, whether we like it or not. In this case, he reminds us that we will encounter problems and suffering in this world. Everyone will experience suffering at some point, sometimes even horrific suffering. The Holocaust, the World Trade Center attack, and the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre are just a few examples. And yet, when Jesus issued this ominous warning, in the very next breath he delivered a consoling message: “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The key to understanding this message can be found in the last five words. Bad things will happen in the world. People will suffer and die. And yet, there is a bigger picture that must be grasped if we are ever to find peace. Our life on earth is temporary. It will come to an end in a relatively short period of time. We were created to live with the Lord forever in paradise. When Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead, the gates of heaven were opened for us, once and for all.
None of us like to suffer. In fact, one of the main reasons we worry is our fear of suffering. Worrying is a kind of defense mechanism that helps us to prepare for anything unpleasant that could possibly happen. It’s not a productive use of our time, however, and actually moves us away from the Lord.
Wouldn’t it be better if we could be unaffected by the difficulties that come our way? Essentially, that is what Jesus is promising in this Bible verse. He is bigger than any potential problem that you can encounter. While he isn’t saying that you will never shed a tear or feel queasy in your stomach, he is saying that you can find peace in him. Don’t panic if you’re not there yet. By the time you finish this book, you’ll be closer to that peace than you are now. Just keep focused on the Prince of Peace and you will get there.
Gary Zimak is a Catholic evangelist and author of seven books, including A Worrier’s Guide to the Bible, Listen to Your Blessed Mother, From Fear to Faith and Stop Worrying and Start Living. He is a radio host and frequent speaker at parishes, retreats and conferences and is known across the country as the leading Catholic speaker on overcoming anxiety. Gary serves as director of parish services at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church in North Wales, Pennsylvania.
