What’s troubling you?
Trouble is a part of life. It’s something everyone experiences. No matter how perfect someone’s life looks from the outside, everybody has their personal troubles — troubles that fame, fortune or friends can’t fix.
Trouble comes in many different forms. Our hearts and minds can become anxious, disturbed and agitated by lots of things. There are relationship troubles, financial troubles, health troubles — the list goes on and on.
Being a Christian believer doesn’t insulate us from these things. They’re a part of life. Take a look at what Jesus said about the inevitability of troubles:
” … In this world you will have trouble … ” – John 16:33 (NIV)
The difference between a Christian believer and an unbeliever is not found in the presence or absence of trouble in their lives, but in how they respond to it.
Jesus taught us that, while we will have trouble, we need not be troubled. Trouble doesn’t mean that you have to be troubled!
Jesus emphasized the difference between the troubles we face and the way we are called to handle them. He showed us that, although trouble is inevitable, being troubled isn’t. We can choose another path — the path of trust and peace:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” – John 14:1 (NIV)
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you … Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 (NIV)
So how do we go through troubles without being troubled? We must do the right thing with them!
The psalmist gave us the prescription for dealing with our troubles:
“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.” – Psalm 120:1 (NLT)
When facing troubles our tendency is to take them upon ourselves by worrying and fretting over them. Or we take them to others, hoping to find a source of help. The psalmist provided us with another alternative. From personal life experience he learned that the best thing to do when trouble came his way was to first take them to God.
What’s troubling you today? Instead of using your energy in worry, fretting and fear, take your troubles to God. Cry out to Him. Put your trust in Him. There’s an answer waiting for you!
Pastor Dale
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