Do you find yourself swerving around potholes as you drive down the road? If we’re honest, we typically prefer the smoothest ride possible, opting for comfort at every turn, free of tolls & road rage. In life, most people crave a bump-free journey, too. Much to humanity’s dismay, Jesus issued the disappointing news in John 16, verse 33: “Here on earth you will have many trials & sorrows.” Why didn’t He tell His faithful followers that He was removing heartache & tragedy from this earth? Let’s talk about life’s unwelcomed detours & how we can navigate them with the Truth of God’s Word.Chresten Tomlin Ministries
Day 1
Scriptures: John 16:33, Genesis 2:15-25, Genesis 3:1-19, John 13:1-38
One of the many benefits that come with summer is the freedom to travel more with my husband in our evangelistic ministry. School lets out, releasing our family from a more tethered routine, and our daughters and I hit the road to join the ministry, enjoy some much-needed family time together, and keep our family connected to this cause we’ve given our lives to. Among these beautiful experiences is the occasional but inevitable bump in the road, literally and figuratively. Perhaps it is the higher concentration of time together that may cause a few sibling squabbles. Or too much food from restaurants and less home-cooking that upsets the digestion. And then you’re smoothly sailing down a turnpike and out of the blue (typically crossing the state line into our home state of Oklahoma), the car is jarred, drinks are spilled, snacks are dropped. Oklahoma is notorious for rough roads and, as much as we love our ‘homa, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain, we don’t exactly love our ‘homa, where the roads we pay big bucks for are riddled with potholes.
I don’t know about you, but I find that when I am driving down a two-lane road and have the clearance to swerve around the potholes or bumps, I’m happy to take an alternate route into the oncoming lane. If there’s a speed bump in an otherwise empty parking lot, I’m taking the long way around to avoid the unnecessary disruption of comfort. I confess: I dodge all the humps and bumps along the way.
In life, most people find themselves craving a bump-free journey, too.
In life, most people find themselves craving a bump-free journey, too. We relish a smooth, freshly paved highway where the gas tank is full, the snacks are plentiful, the drinks are iced, and the horizon stretches out clearly. No turnpike fees, please. Thunderstorms, hail, icy conditions–nah, we’ll pass. Crank up the music and enjoy the ride!
But that’s not what was promised to us by our Heavenly Father, right? In the beginning, that was definitely His plan of perfection. But the invasion of sin’s impact shifted everything. Perfection was tainted by imperfection. Pain- and toil-free living quickly faded with Eden’s closure. No more hand-in-hand jaunts in the cool of the evening with the Divine Creator. Sin changed everything. And life? Well, it became a menagerie of joy and frustration that continued to be measured by obedience and disobedience to the confines of God’s Law. God’s people were tasked with keeping a series of commands that, without the blessing of His grace, were nearly impossible to maintain. A litany of sacrifices and sacraments consumed the day-to-day, season-to-season, and year-to-year requirements.
Even with the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah, there was not clearance provided for a trial-free way of life. Jesus Himself issued the disappointing news to those hoping that struggle had finally come to an end with His statement in John 16, verse 33: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” Why didn’t He tell His faithful followers that He was removing pain, heartache, or tragedy from this earth?
Dig a Little Deeper
1. How have you handled unexpected trials or life disturbances in the past?
2. What have you discovered about God during seasons of comfort? And how about during seasons of tribulation?
Day 2
Scriptures: John 14:1-31, John 16:25-33, Psalms 37:25, Hebrews 13:5, Joshua 1:5
Yesterday, we talked about the bomb Jesus dropped on His disciples near the end of a multi-chapter teaching. He knew that His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to the Father were approaching quickly. Jesus had been sprinkling hints and speaking in vague parables for a good while, and so now, as the inevitable was picking up speed, He was determined to prepare His beloved friends and followers for what was just ahead.
When my parents took a trip, leaving my little brother and me behind with a caregiver or a grandparent, my mother would provide an informational sheet for the grown-up-in-charge. It included details about where my parents would be while away, but also details about our schedule back at home and what to do in case of an emergency. Similarly, in today’s reading, you’ll cover John 14, the second chapter of a lengthy dissertation from Jesus. This was His ‘info sheet’ about where He would be going after His death and resurrection. No doubt, the disciples were still scratching their heads as they had never anticipated this amazing journey with Jesus would end this way.
Wasn’t Jesus supposed to make everything right? Isn’t He the fulfillment of God’s plan to end the domination of evil?
Jesus Himself issued the disappointing news to those hoping that struggle had finally come to an end with His statement in John 16, verse 33: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” The restriction of life on earth meant that pain and struggle would continue to be present. Only in Heaven would the tether to trials be released, once and for all. But ultimately, Jesus clearly stated hope for the hurting when such trials and tribulations arise. The purpose behind experiencing trials and walking through them in partnership with Jesus is found in the before and after statements in verse 33.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.”
The Amplified version of this verse says it like this: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace.” In Hebrew, the word for perfect peace is shalom. According to Strong’s Concordance (7965), shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord.
How are we supposed to have perfect peace, or shalom, when there is so much turmoil surrounding us? How can I have peace when my family members are away from God, or my house was flooded, or my child is sick? Jesus gave the qualifications to find that kind of peace, and it can only be found when we are resting in Him. Like a good Father, He acknowledged the dilemma and anticipated our need. On this earth wrought with sin, we will not be free of trials and tribulations. But Jesus reminded His followers then, and us today, “I realize this is tough. It’s going to continue to be tough until I return to rapture you away. But if you’ll stick close to Me, I AM your perfect peace.”
While God is not the author of confusion, trauma, hurt, or disappointment, He capitalizes on it in order to draw us closer to Him. Intimacy grows between you and your Heavenly Father when you’re walking through hard times. When peace is absent everywhere else, finding the peace that blows your mind (Phil 4:7) requires leaning into a God who will never leave you or forsake you (Josh 1:5).
I’ve walked through dark days of grief in the past several years: the loss of my father, the loss of a family unit I had always treasured, disappointments I couldn’t protect my children from. What I’ve learned again and again is how invaluable and priceless the “sameness” or “steadfastness” of the-God-Who-sees-me truly is. He’s always the same. Situations change. Trials come. And yet He’s always there. Great is His faithfulness.
Dig a Little Deeper
1. Think back to a trial you’ve experienced in the past. Did you carry it with or withoutthe peace of God?
2. Which of the descriptive words listed from Strong’s Concordance about shalom-peace stuck out to you the most today? Ask God to give you a fresh supply of that kind of peace right now.
Day 3
Scriptures: John 15:1-27, John 16:1-33, Isaiah 53:5, John 19:30
In 2021, my family and I took an RV road trip to hike several national parks in Colorado and Utah. All seemed picturesque and magazine-worthy until we reached the Rocky Mountains of Colorado…in a borrowed RV, weaving on two-lane roads without guardrails. On the other side of the outer rim was a narrow, dark canyon about 2,700 feet deep. The road trip of my dreams quickly became the road trip of my nightmares as all I could envision was our RV tumbling into the abyss, my white knuckles tightly gripping the passenger door with terror.
Family road trips are often loaded with plenty of “are we there yet?” and “how much longer?” statements, typically delivered with whiny overtones and dramatic exaggerations. Even flying directly to your destination can make you want to turn around and bypass the promised beach paradise. The road between here and there can bring about some unexpected, unavoidable, undesirable obstacles. Bump-free travels? Rarely possible.
The past few days, we’ve been unpacking a few simple statements from the Savior of the world about the journey of life and its occasional yet guaranteed trials. Jesus promised us that in this world, we would have trials (John 16:33). Yet right behind the bad news came the good news!
“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Again, in the Amplified version, you’ll find an even deeper, more powerful breakdown of this already mind-blowing promise. “…but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world. [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” Can we just take a praise break right here? Whichever sequence you prefer to read for this short series of words, you’ll find reason to press on today. “My victory is abiding, so you can be confident, undaunted, and filled with joy!”
Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, He often brought healing to those who were sick, spoke peace over storms, and the waters calmed instantly, multiplied the little supply of available food to feed thousands, and even raised dead people back to life. He held, and still holds, all power to conquer both life and death! Yet here, just before His own death on the Cross, Jesus’ assurance was reminding the disciples that trials are temporary. In order to accomplish the victory He had promised to all who would believe, to make way for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within those who receive His empowerment, to secure life eternal, Jesus had to endure a trial of His own.
His trial included something far more grievous than a delayed flight, a turnpike toll, or even a speeding ticket. His tribulation trumped an unexpected bill in the mail, a bout with sickness, or a heartbreaking breakup. Jesus looked death in the face and conquered it. The prophet Isaiah declared, “But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” (Is 53:5) When Jesus said, “I have overcome the world”, He meant it.
What are you facing today? What trial has knocked you off your feet, just short of finding you on your knees? Find a place to rediscover His presence, His haven of safety and rest. It may not be discovered as easily in the few minutes on your commute to work this time. Crawling past the shrapnel of circumstances and walls of self-preservation you’ve built may require a season of focused prayer, worship, and warfare. But remind yourself: I can have perfect peace in my Savior, Jesus Christ. I can be confident, undaunted, and filled with joy, loaded with courage, all because Jesus’ victory is abiding! His conquest is accomplished. While on this journey, the wear and tear of life will continue to create those bumps in the road. And yet we have the Hope of Heaven just ahead. Keep looking forward, leaning in, and looking up. That horizon will soon lead to our final victory!
Dig a Little Deeper
1. Be specific in prayer today as you lift up your life’s current trial(s) to Jesus. He cared about the pain His disciples would experience, and He cares about yours today.
2. Do you know someone who is undergoing a fiery trial? Take a moment to call his or her name out in prayer and ask the God of all peace to sustain them in the