When Troubles Overwhelm You
When I was a child, the reality that life would be extremely hard wasn’t what I thought too much about. Instead, it was more like a hall of fame NFL career, a beautiful wife, well-behaved and successful kids. I guess, in the words of Meat Loaf, two out of three ain’t bad!
Your thoughts of what life as a grown up would look like, while maybe different than mine, were also probably of some idyllic version of happy, healthy, peaceful, charming, prosperity. There was no thought of serious health issues, unemployment, divorce, addiction, stress of dealing with aging parents, untimely deaths of loved ones, financial stresses, or any of the other challenges that we all have in life.
Maybe today, life looks and feels like nothing more than paint that seems to just be randomly brushed onto a canvas, chaotic and confusing, no rhyme or reason. You face some challenge, some struggle, some mess, that has you feeling disillusioned, discouraged, frustrated, maybe even hopeless. It could be ongoing challenges caused by a serious health issue. You have always found it easy to secure meaningful employment, but these days, as you look for a new job, doors just do not seem to open. Or possibly, as you look in the mirror, that young vibrant person who used to look back at you now looks older, grayer, heavier. You hope also wiser, but even that seems in question.
Your faith is strong. You know that God is in control and has a perfect plan and purpose for your life. But you do wonder what is taking this perfect plan so long to reveal itself. Your hands are raw from holding onto the rope so tightly, not wanting to let it slip through your fingers. Can I just say, maybe you need to let go and let God keep you safe and secure, rather than the rope.
The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said this, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 we read these hopeful words – “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
Those words are hopeful because in your pain Jesus reveals Himself to you. Those words are hopeful because through your pain Jesus is refining you. Those words are hopeful because out of your pain Jesus can bring beauty and value.
The Bible also tells us that it is during trials that we grow and mature. Not an easy thing to digest, but it is true. In James 1:2-4 we read this – “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.”
A few verses later we see this – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (v.12). The crown of life referred to in this passage is not just referencing to eternal life, but rather, also life here and now, enjoyed abundantly and in greater fullness.
We find these often-misinterpreted words from an imprisoned apostle Paul in Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” That verse does not mean that believers will never experience times of need. It does however mean God provides what we lack, and sometimes that is nothing more than the grace and strength to persevere (2 Corinthians 12:9).
So, will you allow the troubles of life, the chaotic mess of life, to be guided and directed by the only One who can meet your every need?
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