TROUBLE 12 NOVEMBER 2018

One night to bless my wife, I mentioned how all the great godly men of faith had troubles…you name one: Moses, Abraham, Jacob, David, Paul…incl. Yahshua, they all had troubles. As Thoreau said, most men lead lives of quiet desperation. Or to quote the Word of God: “Man is born to trouble”(A) & “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble…”(B) I mention these things, because so often people in trouble and pain feel alone. If life is a struggle for you dear friend, you’re not alone.

HELP. Americans tend to want microwave quick solutions. It can take time for change. Problems did not arise in a day, and often don’t disappear in a day. God’s solution may take time. I know from experience that last statement will shock some. Abiding in Christ (cf JN 15) will provide a deep lasting transformative answer.

WHEN TROUBLES HIT, KEEP LOVING GOD. When troubles come, we want to keep loving God. “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity.”(C) “All things work together for good for those who love God…”(D) Therefore I keep loving God even more when trouble hits, knowing He will somehow transform it to good! That is if I love Him and are called according to His purpose.

HELPING HIM HELP US. When we help those less fortunate than ourselves, we open the door for God’s help. (E) Psalm 41 is beautiful in describing the suffering and blessings of the godly.

GOD IS WITH US. God says, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.”(F)

So much could be said on this subject. I hope that in these few words, you have felt some encouragement.

REFERENCES. (A) JOB 5:7 (B) JOB 14:1 (C) JOB 2:10 (D) ROM 8:28 (E) PS 41:1 (F) PS 91:15