Jesus said to His disciples at one point in His training them for ministry, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” There are tribulations that come simply because the world is corrupted by sin; and, where there is sin there is suffering. Then, there is the tribulation that comes because God is disciplining us so that we mature and are able to handle Kingdom purposes. And finally, there is the tribulation that comes from God as chastisement, not to punish, but to correct the errant ones. Our enemy, Satan, comes on the heels of tribulation, using his wiles of deception and temptation, to try and wrestle us from our faith and trust in God alone. His tactics of fear and discouragement are used against the suffering saint. “Take courage,” Jesus said. Then, courage must be offered, as a gift of God’s grace, to help us resist evil. And that grace, according to Saint Paul, is more than courage, it is “the power of Christ” to strengthen the saint in godliness where the weakness of pride would cause him/her to fall. The power of Christ enables the saint to do the will of God no matter the cost or the situation or the weaknesses of the flesh. This grace is yours and mine, just as it was Christ’s and His apostles, that for Christ’s sake we may persevere and overcome, being content, with thanksgiving, for God’s all sufficient grace. Selah.