On three different occasions, Jesus encouraged His disciples to ‘be of good cheer’. Bible teacher Philip De Courcy calls them ‘the three cheers of the New Testament’.

The first reason to be cheerful is because our sins are forgiven and forgotten in Christ. ‘He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you”’ (Matthew 9:2 NKJV). Because of the cross, our faults and failings will never be used in judgment against us: ‘Those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life’ (John 5:24 NLT).

The second reason to be cheerful is because we’re not fighting for victory; we’re fighting form the perspective of already having the victory. ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33 NKJV).

And the third reason to cheer is because Jesus will be with us no matter what life throws at us or who comes against us. Just as He was with the terrified disciples on board a storm-tossed boat, He’ll be there whenever we need Him: ‘They were troubled…But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid”’ (Matthew 14:26-27 NKJV). Peace isn’t the absence of storms. It’s knowing Christ is with us and ‘nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:39 NLT).

What Now?

Ask God to help you see storms in life as new opportunities for you to get closer to Him and see more of His power at work.