Where Does Trouble Come From
Good Morning,
Trouble comes into our lives, “as the sparks fly upward,” according to Job. There is trouble in this world, for both the rich and the poor, the popular and the recluse. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Trouble comes from living on a sin-cursed planet. That which we might call a natural disaster or health trouble is not of our own making.
Paul was very accepting of the struggles that came his way. Whatever circumstance he faced, his focus was the mission of preaching salvation.
Philippians 4:12 “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Trouble comes often to the active Christian because the devil hates when we shine the light of God on a dark world.
1 Cointhians 4:12 “And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.”
Even politicians face more trouble when they stand for good (as President Trump experienced).
When we make the decision to follow Christ, we gain His enemies – and they are many.
Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;”
When the devil sees you get saved, that bothers him; but when you begin to allow God to influence your home, job, or community, his fury will be unleashed against you. Satan hates the Christian life, and he will do all in his power to discredit it.
1 Thessalonians 3:4 “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
You are citizens of a new and better world, and as such enemies of darkness.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:”
1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”
Many a Christian has been pushed away from family gatherings, ignored at holidays, or even spoken against by loved ones for their outspoken faith.
2 Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things…”
2 Timothy 2:9 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.”
vs. 12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
The Lord promises special rewards to those who suffer for His name. We should labor to keep our eyes on the end of the race, and not focus on the daily difficulties.
There is no telling where your trouble will come from, but one thing is sure; if you live a godly life, you will face tribulation.
2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
I remember memorizing this passage early in my Christian life and wondering if I was not a very good Christian because I felt no persecution. Although, not many years passed before the wrath of the wicked one began to circle my world like a lion hunting it’s prey. (1 Peter 5:8)
Pastor