Useful In Tribulation
Good Morning,
The sorrows of life are many. I do not mean to be morbid or create a hopeless air, I am simply making honest statements. Life can be difficult; in fact, life will be difficult.
Job said it this way:
Job 5:7 “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”
Job 14:1 “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”
Jesus also spoke of the trials of life.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
When life is going well, rejoice. When situations are more difficult, draw near to God and go on doing right. The question is, "How do I behave when trouble comes?"
I may not be able to fix my trouble, but I can help another. My sorrow may be permanent, but I can still help another with their load.
When you visit the rest home and bring church to those who are stuck in that difficult world, it is unlikely that they care about your financial trouble or the health of your child. No matter what personal trials you face, you can be a help.
When you bring the Gospel to the people in jail, answer Bible questions, and sing some hymns, they will not ask how your marriage is doing or if your parents are slipping mentally. They are simply grateful for a break to their routine and for some spiritual influence in a carnal world.
My difficulty may weigh down my heart, but it also may make me more tender to help me be a blessing to others. If I fail to serve those around me, my trials may be found useless, for they were designed to help me help others.
2 Corinthians 1:3 “....the God of all comfort;”
vs. 4 “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
No child that rides a bus cares if my roof leaks, but they do readily accept the love and security provided by the church and the Lord. I will choose to help those within my reach and to fix that which is within my abilities.
It would be sad to face a trial in order to make us more helpful, then not be helpful. Sadly, that is how most people live their lives; they wonder why they hurt and never help anyone. May we accept the trials in our world and realize the Lord is allowing them. While we weep inside, may we go find someone to help.
Pastor