Take Heart - This Is Our Time

WELCOME to 2026 and a year filled with the purposes of God.

We inhabit our own times, and, unless we look back into history, we are always tempted to think our times are the worst, the most chaotic, the era which, more than any other, is one of despair. And every generation since the world began has had reason to believe that, yet here we still are.

As followers of Christ our times contain two certain truths. We will have troubles and distress. Christ upholds and nourishes us.

“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

Jesus promises us trouble AND the joy of knowing His victories. We look around our own nation and in the nations of the world and we can clearly see the trouble, yet Jesus tells us to take heart. That’s not a platitude. Jesus doesn’t say anything for nothing.

The Body of Christ has been seeded into our world as His representatives specifically within the times of trouble. That means suffering. Yet the example of Jesus shows the sustaining joy that carried Him through the most brutal suffering. We can follow His example.

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:21

We think of leading as being the person who calls the shots, the one standing on the platform, the head honcho, but leadership in Christ carries far more. Leaders who follow the example of Christ, especially through troubles, have added components which transcend the conventional attributes of leadership.

Courage is vital. Noone leads effectively without the capacity to see beyond the fog of opinions, media, circumstance and our own pain. The Church in every generation has its unique challenges and only leaders with courage will lead their people to accomplish the assignment for our generation.

Joy is essential. Nehemiah informed a people who were trying to build under great duress and suffering, that the joy of the Lord is our strength. That’s still the case today. Cultivate joy if you want those you lead to stay the course well.

Integrity is crucial. No matter what others are getting away with, determine in your own heart to always do the next right thing. And then the next right thing. Your people will follow your example, whatever it is.

Love is imperative. Jesus did not say ‘they will know you are Christians by your adherence to correct doctrine’, important as good doctrine is. The only way the world will see the love of Christ is through the love His people show, not just to each other, but to the world.

Embrace your role as a leader in times of trouble, don’t try to run from it. You are Christ’s representative, showing the light of His love to a love-starved world.

Happy New Year.