Note 90 at Jn. 16:33: In verse one of this chapter, Jesus said He was speaking these things so they would not be offended. By comparing this statement with that first verse, it can be said that losing our peace is being offended. If we can keep our peace, we can keep from being offended. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" (Isa. 26:3).

Note 91 at Jn. 16:33: Jesus said we would have tribulation. He did not say that He was the one bringing the tribulation or what the tribulation would be, but He said it would come. Then He made the amazing statement that in the midst of tribulation we were to be of good cheer.

The world has joy and happiness directly proportional to circumstances. Bad circumstances produce depression and sorrow while good circumstances produce joy and peace. That's bondage, and that does not have to be the case with the Christian. Our joy is not dependent on things but rather, on the person of Jesus Christ. He is our peace (Eph. 2:14) and joy.

The way we take advantage of this joy and peace in the midst of tribulation is to have our minds and hearts stayed on things above and not on things of this earth (Col. 3:1- 2). The invisible things of God are eternal while all the visible problems that we see are only temporary (2 Cor. 4:17- 18). All the problems of this life grow very dim when compared to the glory of God that has become ours through Jesus.