When I Find Myself In Times Of Trouble

"But he said to her [Job's wife], “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips." - Job 2:10

Job had lost everything that mattered and now his health was failing him. Job's wife told him that he should curse God and die. Words of encouragement from your spouse - nothing like it in my humble opinion. Well maybe not.

Job's perspective was that he had praised God when things were going well for him. Since trouble had come knocking he would not reject God - curse Him. Instead, he would accept the hardships and continue to worship the Lord. 

It is a different view of adversity. A view that sees God as sovereign. That attitude brings context to the admonition in Proverbs.

Trust God with all your heart in every circumstance - good or bad and do not put your trust in your own plans and priorities. (paraphrased by me).

Some years ago I used a small fishing boat to fish on small ponds. It was powered by a trolling motor. So long as the winds were favorable - the trolling motor was enough. One day the wind picked up. I was on the far side of the pond and the wind was blowing from the direction I needed to go to get to my car and trailer. Try as I might the wind kept blowing me backwards. I even tried using my paddle with the trolling motor but to no avail. So I had to yield to the wind. Gather up all of my gear, the car battery that powered the motor, the paddle and the motor and walk around the pond. Through brambles. 

That is how life is at times. No matter how hard we try, we fail. James wrote to the Jews who had been scattered.

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4

That was Job's attitude as well. He was not happy because of the bad that had come his way. But he found joy - a fruit of the Spirit - because the temporary affliction that was testing his faith would produce patience - another fruit of the Spirit. That is a spiritual perspective on life - good and bad. 

We should be careful that we don't suggest that the sorrow and loss and pain are not real - because they are. But God is able to carry us through.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

You see how we respond to life depends upon our spiritual perspective. Do we trust fully on God or ourselves? Are we focused on the temporary things or the eternal things?

How you respond to life will depend upon where the devotion of your heart is. There is an adage - No Jesus - No Peace - Know Jesus - Know Peace

Peace is another fruit of the Spirit. All of the fruit is manifested in a Christian in spite of their circumstances - not because of them. While I am typing this I have had a persistent headache (sinuses). So I reached in my desk drawer and got a couple of Tylenol to take. 

The fruit of the Spirit is not like Tylenol - waiting in a desk drawer to be taken like a pill. The fruit is a result of a persistent seeking of the Lord. Spending time in the Word and prayer.  I am reminded of Joshua 1:8-9.

"This Book of the Law [the Word] shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That prosperity and success does not mean that you will be trouble free. But how you are able to respond to trouble will be marked by peace, joy, and patience. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone