Introduction : Trouble may be big or little, but it is inevitable to humanity. After being born, people keep suffering a lot mentally and physically to survive from competition until they get old. They face trouble related to economy, society, human relationships, physical disease, and at last death. No one is pleased or rejoices over trouble. However, all people know that they can´t live without going through trouble. Therefore, we have to clearly understand the meaning of trouble and make it helpful to our lives.
1. Trouble makes us examine ourselves and matures our personality 1) Trouble makes us repent (Ps 119:67, Ps 34:18) 2) Trouble matures our lives Trouble stops us from being proud, conceited, and haughty, and makes us humble and prudent (Ps 119:71, 1Pe 5:5-6, 10, 1Co 13:11)
2. Trouble makes us broken 1) We become broken and regard our neighbors as precious (Job 42:6, Php 2:3, 1Pe 3:8) We try to listen to our neighbors and accept our faults instead of blaming them (Pr 22:17, Lk 6:42) 2) Trouble turns us away from sinful lives - the prodigal son´s return ( Lk 15:18-20, Isa 55:6-7, 2Co 5:17)
3. Trouble makes us have a new relationship with God 1) Trouble makes us seek God who gives hope in suffering and despair (Hos 5:15-16:1, Ps 91:15, 34:19, 50:15, 23:5) 2) Trouble makes us more gentle, humble, and obedient to God (Heb 5:8-9) Trouble becomes a melting furnace that makes us renewed (Ro 5:3-4)
4. Trouble is the process that makes us a vessel of blessing 1) The Israelites´ life in the desert for 40 years - the school of trouble ( Dt 8:3, 16) 2) The exile of the Israelites in Babylon for 70 years - the period when the Israelites were cleansed and changed from unbelief, disobedience, idolatry, and immorality ( Jer 25:7,11, Da 9:5-6,18,24, Heb 12:5-6) 3) Trouble makes us qualified for heavenly glory in the future (2 Co 4:16-18, Ro 8;17-18, 1Pe 1:7, Php 1:29)
Conclusion : We can´t help facing trouble in our circumstances and destiny. We must fight against it with our all might. However, we can control our attitude toward it. If we complain, are resentful, disobey, and are frustrated and despondent, we may be hurt a lot and defeated. However, if we accept trouble positively, repent, are broken, and obey God more without losing hope and dreams for tomorrow, to our surprise, trouble will turn into blessing. |