Word For The Day: 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.”

Sometimes we complain that life is mundane. We wish we had more adventures. We crave the complex, exciting lives we see on social media.

When my wife suddenly fell ill, just barely two months after we celebrated our 17th Wedding Anniversary and later diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma, my life truly changed. Every day was a struggle coping with the dreadful reality that my wife was dying. I made my heart right with God once again and begged Him to spare her life. I told Him we don't want wealth but just for us to grow old together. She insisted that I go to the gym so at least one of us would be healthy enough to take care of our daughters. But I couldn't finish my workouts without crying. I barely made it to the shower before I started sobbing. Six months later, she passed away. If not for God, I wouldn't have survived either. I grew in my relationship with Him. He made me stronger and taught me what's truly important in life. And each day, I thank Him for the life I now have with my daughters.

I know that in this life we should embrace tribulations just as our Lord Jesus Christ said. It's only through adversity that we can learn the lessons He is teaching us and bring about the change He wants in our lives. And for that, I am equally thankful. But given the trials we will face and the seasons we will go through as God imbues us with His Divine Nature, maybe we should also be grateful during those times when life is mundane.