Be of Good Cheer

Be of Good Cheer

By Apostle Felix

26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  29  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14: 26 – 29

Jesus never promised a trouble free life. He said, in this life we shall have trouble, but we have to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world.

And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”

John 16: 33

Problems will always come. But that does not mean God has left you. He is always by your side. In fact He is in you and you are in Him. He promised us, however, His presence.

The disciples just had a very powerful encounter of the multiplication of bread and the fishes, and then Jesus ordered them to go to the other side of the lake. Jesus did join them in the boat but retired to the mountain to pray. While the disciples were far from land, there arose a life threatening storm. As they journeyed in the boat, the disciples were reminiscing about the day’s event and were full of awe. The miracle of the multiplication of bread and fishes happened in their very hands. It was something, they had never experienced such a feat before.

There was so much excitement in the boat, but their excitement was short-lived. The storm took their from the miracle service to the challenge at hand. You may receive a word from the Lord, have an encounter with God but that will not immune you from encountering challenges of life. You will encounter challenges despite having received a word from the Lord. However, Jesus, the King of Kings came along walking on the same life threatening storm. He was not afraid at all. He was in charge. He was bold and courageous. The disciples were all shaken up by the experience and the sight of Jesus made it worse. They thought it was a ghost. Jesus, from a distance said, ‘Be of good cheer , it is I; be not afriad.’

What to do in the storm:

1. Do not allow the storm to change you’re the words of your mouth. Maintain your testimony of Jesus’ goodness in your life.
2. Keep the revelation of God in the storm. Getting to the other side depends on the revelation of Christ in you.
3. Be brave and courageous. Do not be a reactor, but a proactor. Be worded than a miracle seeker.
4. Be in faith, not presumption. Faith in the finished work of Christ, not in positivism.
5. Dare to confront your challenge. Do not be comfort in the rocking and swampy boat. Step out and do something about it.