Facing Trouble

Many of us have faced a great deal of trouble in the past few years, and although our usual tactic is just to "grin and bear it" (or whine and bear it, depending on our nature), God actually has several prescriptions for tackling trouble laid out in the Scriptures:
For Example:
Jesus had a lot to say about trouble. He lived in the midst of it,  His future was circumscribed by a date with a Roman Cross, and He knew it.  How did He deal with trouble in His own life?

1.  He faced it.  Matt. 16:21: "From that time forth Jesus began to show his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day."

2. He expected His followers to be realistic about it: "Jesus began to show His disciples..."

3. He was honest about the suffering and shame: He would "suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed..."

4. He expected a good final result: He would "be raised again the third day."

When the writers of the Bible speak about suffering, they don't sugarcoat it. They discuss it as reality. They tell the truth, but they always point out that it ends. They also remind us that God walks with us through it, and that we are precious to Him: Ps. 23: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

God loves you. He loves you when you prosper, He loves you when you are happy, and He also loves you when you suffer, when you are hurting, depressed and sad.  Every Christian  has been troubled, depressed, sad or worried about something in his life. Even though we may not feel His presence because of our struggles God goes with us in these difficult times, and His power sustains us: Is. 43:2:  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; neither shall the flame set you on fire."


God loves you just as you are, TODAY.