Trouble
Trouble...we all experience it way to often. It hurts and sometimes it cuts deep. It seems that I know many people who are presently going through some terrible storms in their lives. I sympathize with them and pray for them. And it causes me to think about what the Bible has to say about trouble in a few verses.
***James 1:2-4: Dear brothers and sisters,whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
No one is happy when they are going through trouble. But we can take comfort in the fact that God has allowed the trouble, and will use the trouble to develop our endurance and possibly use us to help someone down the road who is going through similar circumstances.
***Matthew 9:36: He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help....
Jesus knows the pain we go through and He desires to be there to walk us through it and encourage us and empower us, and sometimes to deliver us form the pain.
***2 Timothy 4:16-18:The first time I was brought before the judge, no one was with me. Everyone had abandoned me. I hope it will not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength,...Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly Kingdom...
When we feel all alone and abandoned, Jesus is there with us, even if we can't feel His presence at the time. And He is there as a participant, not a bystander.
***Matthew 11:28: Then Jesus said, Come unto me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.
Sometimes we just can't get over it, or around it, we just have to go through it. And when we do, Jesus will go through it with us, and make the burden bearable, and comfort us and encourage it. If we will only invite Him in, and trust Him.
The following video is a great testimony of going through pain with Jesus.
Created almost 4 years ago
