TRIALS INTO THANKS; PAIN INTO PRAISE!

In the world, you will have tribulation, trouble, afflictions, burdens…

Are you experiencing it? Likely.
Trouble is in the world, and it seems like it is on the rise.
Interestingly, Jesus guarantees it.

But…
Jesus says,

In Me you have peace. So, be cheerfully courageous because I have overcome the world.

Are you experiencing it? Well, are you? I mean the peace and cheerful courage part.

Jesus promises this too!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~ John 16:33

Jesus’ statement includes the phrase “In Me…” just as we have been learning in Ephesians – our true identity is “In Him” – the place from which we get perspective, courage, and strength to live in a world that is not our home.

Trouble comes easy. It is in great supply. Generally, one does not have to embark on an expedition to find it. Moreover, it often seeks you out, anxious to embrace your life. And when you may not be experiencing it directly, someone in your life is.

“Why is this happening to me?” a commonly asked question uttered in frustrated anguish and astonishment that this thing could befall me – especially as a child of God. Peter brings this up in 1 Peter 4:12 as “some strange thing that’s happening to you…” Fiery trials are to be expected. Jesus experienced them. “In Him”, we get to participate in His sufferings too. The idea that we are a child of God and thus, are excused from trouble is a fable that will leave the most devout person disillusioned and bitter toward God.

And yet, there you are. There I am. Trouble hits and emotions swell: hurt, confusion, regret, guilt, frustration, anger, bitterness.

It’s a battle, and the shelling from the enemy is relentless. Satan’s mission: seek, kill, destroy. Every weapon is aimed at destroying your intimacy with God by annihilating your identity in Jesus and assassinating His character before your eyes.

So, what to do?

The solution to my trouble didn’t bring an instant change in the physical realm, but it did instantly change my spiritual stance.

Here are some of the solutions I have tried:

1. Murmuring and complaining. It’s an all-time classic. If you haven’t tried it, it’s one of the easiest responses to adopt. With a little practice, you can go pro in no time. With the right vocabulary and self-talk, any situation can be turned into a bleak and negative outlook. And it’s a most effective way of bringing greater darkness to the (your) world. See Philippians 2:14-16a.
2. Feeling sorry for self. This self-indulgent response provides a wonderful opportunity to solicit others’ sympathy and means of comfort. If people aren’t soothing me, I can slink away and soak in my misery. It gives me the right to pacify myself with various unhealthy indulgences to drown or distract from my sorrows.
3. Throwing a tantrum. And this I have done more than once in the throne room of God. I demand your attention, “Hey, remember me?” I start with a calm prayer, but my prayers bounce off the ceiling. Or, in some cases, prayer seems to make the trouble grow even worse. I think that a demanding fit of anger or dramatic outburst will compel God to take care of the issue. If He seems to ignore me, I move on to the next solution.
4. Giving up. It can be passive-aggressive behavior. Avoid God. Punish Him by not talking with Him. Discount His promptings and nudges. Cover your ears and whisper, “I’m not listening.” I can intentionally neglect anything relationship-building such as reading my Bible, meeting with other believers, time set apart for Him or giving Him attention throughout my day. I become disinterested and apathetic. If God loves me, He will intervene and come to my rescue. If He doesn’t, He must not care. So, neither do I.
5. Blaming people and circumstances. I once heard a pastor say that his job would be great if it weren’t for the people. I wouldn’t struggle with bitterness if that person would quit hurting me. I wouldn’t lose my temper if they didn’t annoy me. I wouldn’t worry about them if they would just listen to me. I wouldn’t act like that if they showed some respect. People cause trouble. Period.
6. Distract myself with business. When trouble arrives, I want to jump ship. Don’t face the challenge. Instead, find something else to focus on – to keep busy with. When I pause to breathe, I look over my shoulder to see if the trouble is gone. If it’s still there, I ignore it hoping it will eventually leave. I’m too busy with other things to deal with it or the people connected to the trouble.

I read these responses out loud and they sound a little childish, right? The cool part about the idea of childish is that YOU ARE HIS CHILD – if you’re in Jesus. These common “childish” responses reveal a disconnect in our belief about WHO God is and WHO we are in JESUS. And He wants to connect the dots for us for our healing so that intimacy with Him and fruitfulness in the world grow and thrive! If you identify with any of these responses, there may be a little growing up to do. If so, we’re in the same boat and that’s comforting. I seem to experience growing pains continually.

Disclaimer: The following is not intended to advise you on what you should do with your troubles and trials. 😀 Please consult the Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Use what I’m about to share like you would a compass to reorient you so that you are pointed in the right direction.

How could the Apostle Paul say,

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” ~ Romans 8:37. If you’re curious what “all these things” are, read two verses before.

Paul could make this declaration because of Jesus’ promise: “In Me you may have peace… be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

If Jesus overcame the world, and I am in Him, then I’m an overcomer too. So how do the afore-described responses to trials and trouble, afflictions and persecutions, align with this reality of WHO I am in Jesus? They don’t.

There are two distinct battle strategies we must employ: one is a Defensive Stance and the other is an Offensive Attack. These are two parts to the same victory.

Would you like to know what they are? Make sure to read next week’s inspiration for part 2.

“Trouble”