Preparing for Troubles

Chuckle: “My neighbors were screaming and yelling at three o’clock this morning!” “Did they wake you,” a friend asked. “Nah, I was already up playing my bagpipes.”

Quote: "No pharmacist ever weighed out medicine with half as much care and exactness as God weights out every trial he dispenses. Not one gram too much does he ever permit to be put on us." –Unknown source

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy" (James 1:2 NLT).

This passage says "when" troubles come, not "if" they will come. When it comes to troubles, there are two kinds of people: those who have had them and those who will. We must realize that troubles are inevitable; they will come. So the question is not, "will they come?" but "how will I react to them when they come?" James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning and joy. Tough times can teach us valuable lessons including perseverance, patience, and steadfastness.

We can prepare ourselves to deal with life's troubles. If we live a life of faith, love, obedience, and prayer we will be prepared for the inevitable problems along the way. We are encouraged to be strong in the power of the Holy Spirit. If we approach life's battlefields already equipped with God's spiritual armor, we can more quickly and easily come through difficult times. Then we will be even stronger Christians as a result of the experience.

"Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:11-12 NLT).

"A man was shopping in a grocery store. His young son followed closely behind, carrying a large basket. The father loaded the basket with one thing after another until another customer began to feel sorry for the boy. She said. 'That's a pretty heavy load for a young fellow like you isn't it?' The boy turned to the woman and said, 'Oh don't worry. My dad knows how much I can carry.'" --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching; Edited by Michael P. Green.

In the same way, God knows our limitations and gives to us no burden beyond that which we can carry with His help. When I think of life’s troubles becoming burdensome, I'm reminded of the line in an old hymn: "Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. . ."

Love, Jerry & Dotse