Daily Devotion

The Delusion of Normalcy

"I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but be courageous-I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (IST)

What does it mean to be normal? What defines a good day for you--no problems, no arguments, no trouble? What standards are you living by that includes these types of thoughts?

Quite honestly, I have come to believe that normal does not exist. We were all created with differences; different upbringings, different cultural experiences, different ways of thinking. There is no one like you in the whole world. There may be people that look like you--they may have similarities in features anyway. Broadening that argument to your everyday life--who's to say that your day may be good or bad? Because you face tough challenges?

Jesus tells us above that we WILL have trouble. Not may, possibility, might, could be, chance, but WILL. Now I am not telling you its okay to be pessimistic or look at every problem you face as an opportunity to complain. I am telling you that experiencing hard times or "bad days" is something that should be expected because we live in a world over run with sin. I am telling you to look at the promise and the benefit of knowing Jesus: through Him we can have peace to get us through the hard times.(John 14:27) We can give our concerns, anxieties, and frustrations to Him.(Matthew 11:28, 1 Peter 5:7) We can expect our prayers to be answered by petitioning God through Jesus.(John 14:13, John 15:7) Lastly, these things cannot last because Jesus has overcome the world.(Rev 3:21) We have conquered through Christ!(2 Cor 2:14, Romans 8:37) Just realize that the troubles you face are normal to you but God is not normal, He is extraordinary. He does increasingly beyond our wildest dreams and promises to keep you in perfect peace!(Isaiah 26:3)

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22