Trouble

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Trouble

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©2016 | Bill C. Dotson

Trouble

The Abiding Fathers blog is a collection of works from our founder, Bill Dotson, along with stories from guest bloggers, providing help for Christian men and all types of fathers.

“Trouble is not just inevitable, it is invaluable.” Mark Modesti

Mark shared an interesting series of thoughts concerning “The argument for trouble” at the most recent Fathers Forum. He engaged us with the idea that there is always trouble and that we should embrace it rather than running from it. We are either coming out of trouble, currently encountering it or will face it in the very near future. Trouble drives us. We can embrace it or it can destroy us. You see, trouble is everywhere! It actually began in the Garden of Eden and has been with us ever sense. How one handles it will determine the joy in living. It’s the crucible in which we grow and prosper; it is even our ‘sanctuary of sanctification’.

Overcoming troubles

Jesus was quoted as saying in Matthew 6:34 that we’re not to worry about tomorrow because “sufficient for today is its own trouble”. These series of troubles that each of us encounter should drive us to the One who is sufficient to deal with our troubles. Alone, we are not. Most of us strive to find peace and comfort free of trouble. That is a false sense of reality.

How can we overcome the troubles in our lives?’ Jesus made it clear in John 16:33. “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.” (NIV)

It is not widely understood, but when one seeks to build up body muscles through weight lifting or resistant style exercises, the muscles are actually being torn down first. Then the body’s mechanism comes to the aid of the muscles and builds them up to be able to withstand the outside forces of the exercise, even building them stronger. Is this not the same as trouble entering our lives? It is there to destroy you, but when you rely on His power and presence to deal with it, you actually become stronger. Amazing how it works!

The benefit of troubles

Charles Spurgeon on March 10 in his Morning and Evening daily journal writes this. “Brother, beware of the smoothe places of the way; if you’re treading them, or if the way be rough, thank God for it.  If God should always rock you in the cradle of prosperity, if we were always dandled on the knees of fortune; if we had not some stain on the alabaster pillar; if there were not a few clouds in the sky; if we had not some bitter drops in the wine of this life, we should become intoxicated with pleasure, we should dream ‘we stand’; and stand we should but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we should be in jeopardy.

We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank him for our changes; we extol his name for losses of property; for we feel that had he not chastened us thus, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.

‘Afflictions, though they seem severe, in mercy oft are sent.’

Well said, Mark and Charles!! Thank you for opening our eyes to the benefits of trouble.

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