In the World but Not of the World

They are not of the world and do not belong to the world, just as I am not of the world and do not belong to it.  John 17:14 (AMP)

It often seems like we are surrounded by problems in this life, but the good news is that as Christians, though we may be in the world, according to John 17:14-16, we are not of the world.  We don’t have to operate by the world’s system, reacting like the world. Our attitude and approach can be totally different.

The world responds to difficulties by being frustrated and upset, but Jesus said in John 14;27, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”

This verse indicates we can have a change of perspective.  The right mindset and the right attitude can completely turn a situation around.  If we approach something with dread, we’re setting ourselves up for misery.  But if we refuse to dread or have a negative outlook, we open the door for God to work supernaturally and help us.  We can choose our own perspective.

Because Jesus has deprived the world its power to harm us, we can approach the challenges we face in life with a new perspective – in a calm and confident manner.

(From Quiet Times With God Devotional by Joyce Meyer.)