Have you ever watched a movie for the second time? The first time, you were on the edge of your seat. When the hero got trapped, you were freaking out. But the second time, you’re totally calm. Why? Because you already know how it ends.

That’s a lot like being a Christian. The Bible says there’s a real battle going on between God and the devil. Sometimes life gets hard. Sometimes we get tempted. Sometimes it feels like bad things are winning.

But here’s the incredible part: we already know how the story ends. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” When Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the dead, He defeated sin and the devil forever. The last page of the Bible (the book of Revelation) tells us that one day, Jesus will make everything new, and there will be no more crying or pain or sadness ever again (Revelation 21:4).

That doesn’t mean nothing hard will ever happen to you. Jesus was honest about that. He said, “In the world you will have tribulation.” That’s a big word for trouble. But you don’t have to be afraid, because the winner is already decided. And if you belong to Jesus, you’re on the winning side.

Think About It: What’s something that feels scary or hard in your life right now? How does knowing that Jesus already won change the way you feel about it? What’s one part of the “ending” of God’s story that you’re most excited about?