There may be trouble ahead…

‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’

(John 16:33)

Jesus, and those who followed Him, promised many things to those who truly believe in the conquering of death and resurrection of Christ. Promises of eternal life, of the Holy Spirit filling us, of power in Jesus’ name are just a few of the gifts God has for us. We really do have a very loving and giving Father, who is able to provide all that we need.

It is interesting then that we are also told that there will be trouble for us in this world.

Suffering for being a Christian

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

(1 Peter 4:12-13)

Why would there be suffering? Surely God’s people should always have a life full of blue skies and plain sailing! Sorry to disappoint but, like Christ, we will face opposition and difficulties. However, there is something we need to remember when we are going through trials and tribulations:

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

(Romans 8:18)

What we go through on earth pales into insignificance when compared to the reward of Heaven.

Walking with Christ can be difficult; it puts you at odds with much of what happens in the world. We are instructed to be ‘in the world but not of the world’ and that is going to generate its fair share of obstacles. The modern world, in many ways, is not geared for the moral lessons that Christ taught. There is so much greed, anger and immorality…all of which Christians are told to stand against. This stand can be quite costly…it can cause difficulties in relationships, in the workplace and even within congregations.

“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

(Galatians 6:8)

Sometimes the suffering we face we bring upon ourselves. If God’s will is not in the forefront, if our own desires and ambitions overtake His, then we are bound to face trouble! God’s plan is the plan for all good, so surely any other plan will bring the opposite. At times we can be led astray because we don’t seek knowledge of God often enough - if we don’t study the Bible, go to Him in prayer and accept his will, then we can be lost due to our ignorance. It’s like travelling without a map. If we don’t know His plan, how can we follow it? We need to sow the seeds of knowledge in our lives if we want to reap the reward of eternal life. This involves a sacrifice of our will, time and energy, something a selfish world does not want us to do and tries hard to keep us from.

“Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.”

(Job 14:1)

Not all of our suffering comes from within. Often the world, because of the enemy, brings suffering into our lives as a result of the actions of others, to dissuade us from following Christ. It is then that we need to be even stronger in our faith and more Christ-like. Even when hanging on the cross, close to death, Jesus forgave those who tortured and killed Him. If we are to be like Christ, then even in the midst of our suffering, we need to be willing to forgive. The way in which we respond to our troubles is a witness to the world. How we deal with our suffering is a testimony to the world – do we walk the walk? Do we rely on God with faith and trust?

I’ve been through quite a few difficult times in the past few years. There have been illnesses and deaths which have been very hard to make sense of. At the time I did not always dealt with them in a Christ-like way - I’ve fallen hard at certain hurdles. There have been times when I have been angry with God and questioned Him – I’ve asked the questions about why painful things have happened to me, why was He not there for me…

Having now almost come out the other side of those troubles, there has been something I have realised. Throughout them I was never alone. He was with me. He was in the people who love me. He was in their unceasing prayers and in the tears they shed with me. I know there was no way I made it through under my own strength. I know that the times of trouble were used to break the ‘old me’ so that a better ‘new me’ could emerge. I know it was part of God’s plan. Even during the times of trouble, I’ve been able to use my experiences of suffering to support others and help them through troubles of their own. I choose to believe that God planned this for my life. If it was not part of God’s plan, then life is meaningless, and I do not accept that the existence of human life has no purpose other than the biological imperative to breed.

If you are in a season of troubles, pray for strength, patience and wisdom. It will bring you closer to God and in doing so you will be given everything you need to endure. You will never be tested past the limits of your endurance. God knows everything about you; He knows what is needed to test you, to bless you and to bring you into the kingdom.

So be encouraged. No matter what troubles you face, you are not alone. Despite the darkness that might surround you, there is a light to guide and comfort you which will never go out.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

(2 Corinthians 4:16)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

(James 1:2-4)

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

(Philippians 4:13)