No exemption from troubles

Jesus said, “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

Unfortunately for the Christian, we are not exempt from troubles and difficulties in this life but the one thing we can be absolutely sure of is that God is with us in the midst of all our difficulties and he is fighting for us. 

Whilst I would never happily embrace trouble, I know that it is in the hard times that my character has been shaped and my dependence on God and his goodness deepened. I have no problem donning my armour, resisting the devil and enforcing the victory Jesus won for us at the cross but sometimes it seems we have to walk through a long, hard valley of the shadow of death.  It is important that we never forget: 

‘I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.’ Psalm 23: 4

God is with us.

I had the great pleasure of listening recently to a message preached by a young lady who I used to teach. It was incredible. It was prophetic, full of Scripture and truly inspirational.

However this young lady went through some tough times whilst at university. She plays the violin and was studying music. She hurt her wrist and was unable to play her violin for quite a while, something she both loves but was also essential to her gaining her degree. All the time she couldn’t play, she studied hard but also did all she could to help with concerts that others were playing in and that she would have loved to be participating in. She didn’t stay away, feeling sorry for herself, she sold tickets and programmes, served refreshments and helped out in any way possible. That is character building. That is what lays foundation blocks in our lives that become essential to being able to preach inspirational messages later. 

 Another lady that has had terrible trouble but is also truly inspirational is Joni Eareckson Tada. At age 17, she foolishly dived into the water and broke her neck on a hidden rock. For 50 years now she has been unable to move any part of her body from her neck down. She is in constant pain and has to rely on others for every single thing to do with her body. 

Does she regret her foolish dive? Of course but has she given up on her life? Never. She now has a worldwide ministry of speaking engagements, radio and TV broadcasts and books inspiring others both able and disabled. God has opened doors for her that would never have been opened if she had been able bodied. She is a mighty champion for the disabled, influencing governments, and involved in all manner of programmes worldwide.

 If you ever need a bit of encouragement, find one of her programmes on YouTube or read one of her books. She really epitomises Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Troubles will come and find us and we must do all we can to fight the devil and all his works because that is what Jesus came to do- For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3: 8. 

However we know God is always with us and sometimes we must walk through hardships, letting our Lord form his character in us, shaping us for the journey ahead, trusting that our lives are in his hand and that he is working out his plans and purposes.