“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV

The past year has been very difficult for me in many ways. Physically, mentally, and emotionally draining, I couldn’t tell you how many times I have cried out and questioned God just in the last 16 months.

1 Why do I keep doing this? What’s wrong with me?

2 Please, God, make it stop!

3 I can’t take any more, I’m drowning. God? Where are you?

4 Do you even see me?

5 This is too much, I can’t do this anymore.

6 This world is out to get me, I don’t see any way forward.

“Take heart my child ❤️
The word used in John 16:33 is the Greek word tharséō which means, “to be firm or resolute in the face of danger or adverse circumstances, be enheartened, be courageous.”
I love what Strong’s Greek says
2293 /tharséō (“emboldened to show courage”) refers to God bolstering the believer, empowering them with a bold inner-attitude (to be “of good courage”). For the believer, 2293 /tharséō (“showing boldness”) is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith (“inbirthed persuasion,” 4102 /pístis). Showing this unflinching, bold courage means living out the inner confidence (inner bolstering) that is Spirit-produced

There are 6 different scenarios in which tharséō is used in the New Testament and in each scenario lies the answer to my cries for help.

1. Matthew 9:2 NIV

[2] Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

TAKE HEART I PAID FOR YOUR SINS ONCE AND FOR ALL! YOU ARE FREE FROM BONDAGE!

2. Matthew 9:20-22 NIV

[20] Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. [21] She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” [22] Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

TAKE HEART, KEEP THE FAITH, THIS WILL END!

3. Matthew 14:26-27 NIV

[26] When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. [27] But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

TAKE HEART, DON’T FEAR THE STORM, I’M HERE, GRAB AHOLD OF MY HAND!

4. Mark 10:47-49 NIV

[47] When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” [48] Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” [49] Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

TAKE HEART, I SEE YOU AND I’M CALLING AFTER YOU!

5. John 16:33 NIV

[33] “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.”

TAKE HEART, PEACE, BE STILL! I’VE ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF IT!

6. Acts 23:10-11 NIV

[10] The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. [11] The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

TAKE HEART, I HAVE GOOD PLANS FOR YOU! YOUR FUTURE IS SECURE IN ME!