“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, NIV

When I was a kid, my dad had a work light in a little cage on the end of an extension cord. Many times he would be working on the car in the driveway after work, and when the sun would set he would send me to get the trouble light. That’s what he called it—his “trouble light.” I guess the idea was that it would shed light on car trouble, because who would work on their car in the dark just for fun?

Thinking about my dad’s trouble light reminded me of John 16:33. Naturally, we go through life with the goal of avoiding trouble and failing that, we love to lament over it. But as disciples of Jesus Christ, we have a supernatural opportunity to see trouble differently. We are called to have peace based on the fact that our Master is redeeming all of our troubles. He is in fact handing us the opportunity to shine brightly for Him as we exhibit faith and trust in all circumstances!

I think that means that we are called to be “trouble lights.” We are meant to shine brightly in the midst of trials to show people the way through to the One who can redeem it all.

Lord Jesus, only You can make us rejoice when things go wrong. When we do this, it is unmistakable that the difference in us is You! Thank you for the privilege of shining through in the midst of trouble. Amen.

Copyright Jere Vandewalle.

Jere is the Director of Operations for Christian Educators.