Sorrow Before Great Victory

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

Mark 14:32-34



Jesus was about to give His life in order to redeem you and me and everyone who would accept this awesome gift of life until that day when he returns again to take us all to paradise. As we read, He was deeply distressed and troubled and filled with sorrow just prior to this great miracle and battle and victory coming to fruition. How often do we as Christ followers experience a similar sorrow and similar trouble and stress just prior to God using us in an awesome way or just prior to God performing a miracle in our midst? Know today that this sorrow and trouble is not by accident as we live in a spiritual battle that is raging all around us. There are angels and demons in a 3rd realm who are fighting for control and attention of your heart and mind. The last thing that the enemy would like to see is for God to use you in an effective way for His Kingdom, and so, the trouble and sorrow comes as the enemy would try to discourage you and sideline you in this battle that we are all in for the cause of Christ. If you are sorrowful today; if life seems to be just a little too hard for you to handle; if trouble and stress seem to be coming your way by the truckload and you feel like giving up and giving in and throwing in the towel then be encouraged because this sorrow could very well be a sign that something big is about to happen in your life. The trouble that you are facing may very well be a foretelling of God using you in an extraordinary way to have an impact on this world for Him. Draw near to God and keep pressing on as God will give you the strength to endure and He will indeed use your life in such a way that would have an eternal impact on the world around you. Jesus felt the same sorrow that you are feeling today and yet He pressed on, knowing the pain and humiliation and trouble that lurked ahead of Him all because of His awesome love for you – do the same today as a result of your love for Him and you will see and experience the power and love of God!