John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33


This is great.  It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 ("We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;").  Life definitely isn't perfect, even on days when you think that you've done your absolute best.  And, as Christ promises the apostles in the selection, in the world we will have tribulation.  But in the same verse, and practically in the same breath, God also promises them peace and tells them to be of good cheer.  Just the fact that those things can exist at the same time boggles our minds a little.  You mean, life can stink and we can still be happy and at peace?  And God says yes.
Easier said than done, right?  Yes, but God also gives us abundant hints, here and elsewhere in the scriptures as to how. :)  In HIM we can have peace.  That's a good hint.  Focusing on Christ, remembering God all the time.  And similar to that "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  Remembering that everything we face, ever... even death, even the worst spiritual darkness... Christ has faced, and overcome.  His triumph is our hope.  Even when things are falling apart and everything seems to be going wrong, God is still shining a bright beacon of hope down on us, showing us the way, helping us learn how to see around, and even remove, our self-imposed blinders of depression or despair.  Life is never so bleak that God can't make it better.  No moment is ever so hopeless that there is no good to be found.  God is always there.
Today, let's remember that we can find peace and hope amidst the tribulation.  Let's look to God for comfort and patience in suffering.  He will lighten our burdens, and he will help us to find happiness even through the darkest times.