Trouble Comes

Trouble often comes whether we try to avoid it or not. I was once told that trouble is like a minefield. You are walking along, minding your own business, and suddenly with the next step everything goes horribly wrong. Too often, we rely only on our own abilities to conquer trouble. At such times, it is good to remember that we are held within God’s providential care. God can provide relief from any trouble in your life. Yes, there is adversity in life, but in Christ, there is hope and ultimate victory over our problems. God has a plan and purpose in all our trials.

“God would not rub us so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity so well He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child’s garments.” (William Gurnall)

We may complain about it, but adversity seems to be a better teacher than prosperity. From trouble, we learn hope, trust, courage, and patience. Samuel Rutherford wrote, “Grace grows best in winter.” However, spring and summer follow. The Scriptures teach us:

“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:20-21)

God will not abandon us in a sea of adversity. Cry out to God and stop sulking in the darkness. Steady your mind and focus on the glory of God. In such times, your soul may be better served and you may become a better servant of God. I conclude with this quote from Alexander Solzhenitsyn:

“Bless you, prison, for having been in my life. The meaning of earthly existence lies, not as we have grown used to thinking, in prospering, but in the development of the soul.”