It’s worse for some than others, but all of us face troubles in this life. Some more serious than others, yes, but all of us will face troubles while on this planet earth. Some are life threatening, while others are mostly an inconvenience, an annoyance. It could be a busted water pipe, or worse – a health problem. It may be the illness of a loved one, but troubles will come. They are a part of life, for the good people and for the not-so-good people.
A long time ago a man with troubles of his own said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble,” Job 14:1. Reading about Job reveals the high – yes high regard God had for him (see Job 1:1, 1:8, 2:3). His troubles were worse than most of us will ever see, but they were not his because he was a wicked man. Satan brought death and loss to Job even though he was “upright…one that feared God and shunned evil.” That “upright” man suffered financial and family losses that would destroy most of us today.
Some forms of behavior take a Christian closer to danger, harm, but not all “trouble” comes as a result of violating God’s word. To illustrate, note that the apostle Paul, who penned more books in the Bible than any other human, had an ailment. The ailment was so severe that it was described as Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. Three times Paul pleaded with God to relieve him of the problem. God said “no” all three times. Why? Not because God did not care, but as we read in 2 Corinthians 12:7 it would keep Paul from being “exalted above measure.” It was also necessary for Paul to remember that God’s grace would be sufficient for his needs. Having learned this valuable lesson he became much stronger than if he had faced no struggles.
Was that the answer Paul wanted? It was natural for him to prefer the removal of the “thorn” rather than just learning to live with it. Will God always remove all of our troubles if we ask Him to do so? Probably not, for the way a person becomes stronger as a Christian is to face life’s obstacles and overcome them, Revelation 2:7, 3:5.
Many of the “troubles” of life are the result of our own choices and actions. The decisions of life have real and obvious consequences. Our free will makes it possible for man to either obey God or go his own way. We are not robots without input into our lives, but choices have real results. We usually learn that early in life. The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day were told that their decisions had brought them to enmity with God, Matthew 23:3-39.
Their motives were impure and their deeds violated God’s will. Hypocrisy characterized their attitude and their decisions. These may not describe your deeds, but those who had been rebuked were part of God’s chosen people, yet they were headed in a direction that would remove them from God’s favor. From the High Priest to the Sanhedrin to the man on the street, men and women rejected Jesus’ lessons. And, as a result, were estranged from God.
Your troubles and mine can either destroy our families and us or they can be stepping-stones to greater happiness and usefulness in the kingdom of God. When troubles come to you:
- Look for the source of your troubles. Is it from the poor decisions you make daily? Strengthen your foundations and your decision-making. Put God first again!
- Consider each challenge as an opportunity to grow in your faith, in your every-day challenges. Be strong!
- Don’t forget that your friends, neighbors, and family will notice how you face, how you overcome adversity.
- Just as gold is purified by fire, learn to endure those troubles you face so that you can be pure, strong and an example for others to observe as they face adversity.
- Remember, God has “prepared a place” for us in which there are notroubles, no adversity. How we live today will determine our eternal destiny.
- When others face illness, financial losses, or family problems, make sure you are there to help them if your help is needed and wanted.
- Don’t forget the strength that can come by prayer. God wants to help if you will but “ask in faith”, James 1:6.
Don’t forget that Jesus faced “troubles” on
our behalf. We can follow His example of courage. Every time we say
“no” to the devil and his temptations it will be easier the next time Satan’s temptations come again.
