John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  In this verse, the Greek word for 'peace' is eirene.  Eirene means: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatever sort that is.  Thlipsos, the Greek word for 'tribulation' means:  pressure, oppression, stress, anguish, adversity, affliction, crushing, squashing, squeezing and distress.  According to the NSFLB, "thlipsis is like spiritual bench-pressing.  The word is used of crushing grapes or olives in a press!"  When you think of Jesus using the word 'thlipsis' to tell us that we will experience this tribulation in the world, it is no small matter.  It really is a strong warning to us so that when it happens, we will not be caught off guard.  Remember, we do have a real enemy.  However, He then encourages us that in spite of that persecution, we can be of good cheer.  The Greek for good 'cheer' is tharseo, which means:  to be of good cheer, to be of good courage, and to have confidence.  At this point, Jesus also tells us why we should, despite the persecution and tribulation, be of good cheer.  Jesus said, "I have overcome the world.  The word for 'overcome' that Jesus used here is nikao.  Nikao means: to deprive it of power to harm, to subvert its influence. When we understand what Jesus was actually saying, we recognize that John 16:33 is a very dynamic verse!  His victory deprives the tribulation and persecution of it's power to harm us!  Thus, when we are in Him, we can be of good cheer, be of good courage and confident, in the midst of tribulations.  Even when trouble surrounds us, our circumstances do not change who we are in Him or what we have in Christ.  He has promised and given us an abundant life of joy and peace.  Cheerfulness, joy, and peace are not merely emotions which we cannot control, they are fruits of the Spirit, which we can choose to walk in regardless of our circumstance.

 Consider these words, penned by Paul during his imprisonment, as recorded in Philippians 4:4 and 6-8."Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ... 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."  The word ‘rejoice’ is chairo, a primary verb which means to be "cheer"ful.  These verses show us that, for Paul, joy was not a surface emotion that depended on favorable circumstances.  He was in a Roman prison when he wrote these words.  Christian joy is possible even in the midst of adverse circumstances.

 Happiness is achieved when one is totally convinced that God is on his side.  You can be assured that God is on your side.  Romans 8:31-37, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Does this mean that we will like or enjoy going through the press of tribulation?  No, however, it means we can have confidence and be of good courage and cheer even in the midst of it, because He promises to be with us and tells us that nothing can separate us from His love!

 We are God's people, and as His people, He holds us in the palm of His hand and no one can remove us.  John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."  Once you have chosen to accept Jesus and continue to walk with Him, you are in the most secure place that you can ever be in.  The greatest security and source of contentment we can ever have is our relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of all.  Look at what Isaiah 43:1 and 2 says, "But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you."  Hallelujah!  God is love and He has promised to keep us in every way, for every situation or circumstance we face.  Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  How wonderful it is for us to know that He is with us, will strengthen, will help, and will carry us every second of the day and night.  Even in those trying times when we don't sense His presence, or feel His joy, He helps us through those time as well.  He is there! 

 Psalm 144:15b tells us, "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord"!  Happiness or joyfulness, according to Webster's Dictionary is a feeling of great contentment or joy.  When we are resting in the arms of God, we cannot help but feel secure, happy, and content.  Psalm 146:5, " Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God..."

 Remember, a merry heart is not necessarily a feeling which is a 'given' that has been produced by our circumstances; it is a choice that we make regardless of the circumstance.  Proverbs 15:15 expresses that truth for us, " All the days of the afflicted are evil (bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, trial and hardship), but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast."  This verse reiterates what Jesus said in John 16:33 (our first scripture in this blog) - in the midst of affliction and tribulation, we can experience peace, good cheer, and confidence.

 Proverbs 17:22, " A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."  Gea, the Hebrew word for medicine comes from the root word, gehah which means - a cure, a healing.  With this verse saying that a merry heart does good like medicine, it is inferring that when we choose joy and cheerfulness, it makes us feel better, not only emotionally, but also physically.  That is good news!

 Proverbs 15:13a says, "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance (face)..."  When we choose to walk in happiness, joy, or cheerfulness, it shows on our face!  Letting the joy and happiness we have in God shine through us, enables us to minister to others.  Have you ever seen a baby doing a belly laugh because what they are seeing tickles them?  Have you ever been able to resist laughing with them?  Or, have you been able to resist laughing with adults, who are laughing uncontrollably, for that matter?  Our countenance affects others.

 In these days of fear, anger, and discontent, we can have a merry heart because of the relationship we have with Christ.  Choose it!  Grab hold of your confidence and trust in God and do not let anything turn you from it.  Then, let God's happiness shine through you. 

 Do not forget, when the tribulations and trouble comes from the world, Jesus deprives it of power to harm you!  So, be of good cheer, be of good courage and be confident.  You absolutely can rely upon God to be with you, in and through whatever comes your way.  You can trust Him!

 Proverbs 16:20b, (NLT) "... those who trust (have confidence in) the Lord will be joyful."

 I hope you have been encouraged by this study.  I have been encouraged in preparing it.  Please feel free to make comment or ask questions, if you have any.