Trouble

We all have stuff going on, in our families, or personally, or with our jobs or school issues or friends and relationships. And so many times the things that we have going on seem to entangle our feelings, emotions and right thinking in such a way that we submit to frustration, disappointment, anger, depression etc. "Here comes trouble" is an adage that many of us are familiar with, sometimes it is used in humorous reference while other times it is said with great seriousness.

I was reading through some bible verses a couple of days ago and stumbled on the word trouble and since then it has been stuck in my head. What is trouble? It is something that interrupts or disturbs a sense of calm and contentment. It is worry or distress or something that agitates. I don't know about you but I can stew for days over a situation or circumstance that I have no control over. And though I know it is such a waste of time, and produces fruitless efforts, I have a hard time abandoning the remnant thinking of what will happen next, or what can I do to fix this or that.

There were a couple of entries in the Jesus Calling book that spoke of God's lessons of trust in spite of trouble. One statement was "though the lessons of trust that I send you come wrapped in difficulties, the benefits far outweigh the cost". And one of those benefits is peace, which is an all encompassing gift, independent of all circumstances. (March 1) And the second is: "In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry." We live in a fallen world, and things are not as they should be. So the temptation to worry about this or that is always trying to worm its way to our minds through our circumstances. Best defense is constant communication with God. It keeps your mind focused on God and raises you above the circumstances. There was a suggestion that worry is like a wolf. I love that image. Can't you see the wolves just perched, waiting for an opportunity to pounce, hungry for their prey.
We are their prey and unless we are protected by something or someone greater that those wolves, we are dead meat...so to speak, and worry and trouble will overtake us.

There are two verses that I just love regarding trouble. And they are simple to remember. The first is in Matthew 6:34b "Each day has enough trouble of its own." In context: 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. And I love the part about seeking first his kingdom. How many times do we seek everything else first before we seek God.

The second verse is 2 Corinthians 1:4: who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

In Context: 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. I love this because it is such an example of that pass it forward mentality. There is no trouble new to this earth. Someone somewhere has experienced the trouble that is upon each of us and has been comforted by Christ and given a peace. That someone may just be you... and you are called to pass it on.

Trouble is never just about us. And I can not think of a time when my trouble has only effected me, it generally leaves its mark on others who are in the wake. That ripple effect can be directed up or down. If we direct it up, we are faithfully trust that God is in control and will comfort us and provide for us and strengthen us according to his will and promise no matter the situation. If we direct the ripple effect downward, we begin to drown in fear, disappointment and anxiousness about the outcome.

We don't ever know how God will hep us to solve our troubles but we do know that God is faithful. If we count on God to be our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble(Psalm 46:1), he will help us in ways that we could not imagine. They will be his ways and not our own, and his timing will be within his bounds and not ours.

Dear Lord, Help us to see your hand of help in times of trouble. May we praise you even in spite of our difficulties because they give us further reason to trust you in all our circumstances and allow you to show your glory and overseeing power. Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!


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