Bravery in the midst of challenges is the central theme of our discussion today. We explore the idea that, despite facing trials and tribulations, we can approach life with a sense of fearlessness and happiness. Drawing from G.K. Chesterton's quote, we reflect on the promises made by Jesus to his disciples about being fearless and finding joy even in difficult times. I share personal experiences that illustrate this concept, including a time when I faced a life-threatening situation but found peace and joy rather than fear. Ultimately, we emphasize that, through faith, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and a sense of inner peace.

Takeaways:

1. Bravery in the face of challenges is essential for living a fearless and happy life.
2. Trials and sorrows are inevitable, but we can find peace amid these difficulties.
3. We should not be surprised by trouble; it is a part of our Christian calling.
4. God promises to be with us in our trials, providing peace and strength to overcome.
5. Experiencing peace in extreme situations can transform our understanding of God's presence.
6. Our happiness and joy are rooted in the assurance of God's love and eternal promises.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. www.bible805.com

Hi. Welcome to the Hobo Soul podcast of road advice from the Bible. And from me, Yvon Prehn, someone who's a little further down the road of life.

I'll talk to you every weekday for about five to 10 minutes, with periodic longer talks on serious Saturdays. Let's get started with our topic today,

Episode 20, Bravery in the Midst of Challenges, In trouble, Fearless and Happy.

Fearless and happy is how I think we'd like to face what happens in our lives, and I pray today's podcast will help you do that.

Our quote for today comes from G.K. chesterton, who said,

"Jesus promised his disciples three things that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble."

"I've told you this. This is Jesus speaking so that you will have peace, heart and mind here on earth. You'll have many trials and sorrows, but cheer up, I've overcome the world."

When I was preparing for the podcast, though, the statement sounded really good.

As I reread them preparing for it, I was feeling a little bit cynical and I thought, yes, in trouble, fearless and happy. That does sound good. But, oh, where exactly does the Bible say that those things will characterize our lives?

So I did what I always do is I go back and I check it out to make sure that I'm sharing the correct things with you. And there are many verses that affirm these things that I'm going to share with you.

And I hope you'll hang in there on this podcast because near the end I'm going to share something very personal when I'll tell you a story about when I almost died. So hang in there with me.

First of all verses on how we can expect trouble.

In John, John 16, Jesus said, I've told you these things to prepare for rough times ahead. They're going to throw you out of meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor.

In First Thessalonians 3:3,4, it says, "not that the trouble should come as a surprise to you. You've always known we're in for this kind of thing. It's part of our calling. When we were with you, we made it quite clear there was trouble ahead."

And then first John 3:13, in the message translation, it says, "don't be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time, and I could go on and on and on.

There's so many verses that remind us that troubles are to be an expected part of the Christian life. We don't like to think about that. But I was thinking God says these with just as much assurance and promise as all the good things.

So we need to remember them. We need to remember that he promised that troubles will come. So don't act with great surprise and get mad at God when troubles happen.

So many Christians, oh, why did this happen to me? Well, it just does. Jesus said it would. Don't sound so shocked. Don't get mad at God. It's guaranteed that they will happen.

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Now, God doesn't just leave us with a command not to fear, but he, in many, many verses again tells us why we don't need to.

In Deuteronomy 3:22, he says, don't be afraid. The Lord your God himself will fight for you. And Psalm 23:4, we're all familiar with this.

But he says, even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. God is with us. He will fight for us.

And when you think about who God is, the one who made thunder and huge waves, the moon and the stars, the spiders and the bees, all the people on the earth. He controls it all. He is with us. And in that reality he can tell us to not be afraid, and we don't need to be afraid.

Now then, the last one absurdly happy, and I would add on to that to be at peace. We aren't just warned about trials and that God will be with us, but we're told we don't have to just grit our teeth until they're over.

You'll have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I've overcome the world.

Not only has Jesus overcome the world, but this gets into the happy part in Matthew 5 where he says, God blesses you with when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you're my followers. Be happy about it. Be very glad, for a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

I equate being absurdly happy with being at peace, because we don't have to struggle for anything. Because God has overcome all, all the troubles we might be experiencing and will experience no matter what the challenge is, we can have peace in it.

And when we're at peace in Jesus, we can laugh at what devastates people who don't know Him.

Now, I know there are many, many trials I haven't experienced, but my greatest experience of absolute peace and being absurdly happy in the midst of a trial was a few years ago when I almost died. Now, the details aren't important, but I was in the hospital following a surgery and my heart decided to quit.

Fortunately, some nurses were there at the time, and I suddenly looked up at them and I remember just saying, "I'm going to pass out now." And I did.

The next thing that I was vaguely aware of is that there was a whole medical team working on me frantically. They called a "code blue."

And I knew I was very close to dying. I was also very aware of what was happening, and I was totally, completely not afraid.

I was at peace, an extraordinary peace in the midst of a very trying situation. And I was, I think you could say, absurdly happy. And I was very aware of this, and I knew that.

And then I passed out again and I woke up in the cardiac care unit where the doctor said, "We almost lost you."

Now, I know there is peace in the more common trials of life. I've experienced it in financial or relational issues.

But the peace and joy that I experienced at that time was unique.

And it's given me perhaps an insight to how the Lord can literally move our hearts and minds into a place of extraordinary peace in times of extreme pain or trial, or even in the valley of the shadow of death. We truly do not need to fear, no matter what is thrown at us.

The Christian can confidently say, and now be nice as you say it, to the world and the evil that attacks us.

Is that all you've got?

You can shun me, but I'm accepted and incredibly loved by the Creator of the universe.

You can make fun of me, but to Jesus, I'm precious, holy, called, set apart, and chosen to represent Him.

You can take all my earthly possessions, but I have treasures in heaven that will make anything I lose here look like garbage taken out a day late.

You can even take those I love who are in Jesus because I know they are in a place beyond pain, and I will see them again.

You can perhaps make me cry now in loss or pain or fear even, but I believe my God when he says that though weeping may endure for a night, and it can be a really long night, that joy will come in the morning and that day of joy will last forever.

So there we are. Bring it on, world. And we can laugh because we see far beyond what you can't.

That's all for this podcast, for transcripts, links to related material, and much more to help you learn to know trust, trust, apply and teach the bible. Go to www.bible805.com for now, let me end with this benediction and prayer.

May you walk each day surrounded by the gracious love of the Father, guided by the gentle wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and conscious of the astoundingly real presence of Jesus, who will walk with you until you're no more a hobo soul, no more a transient wandering heart, but at home in the kingdom prepared for you with your God forever. Amen.