Is there a good side to trouble? Yes! Trouble highlights my awareness of God’s Presence in my life. And when God is present, nothing is impossible.
To often, I see trouble as my enemy. The truth is it’s my friend. If I’m teachable, I can learn a lot about life, God and myself through adversity. The key is to not fight it but give into it.
My first reaction to trouble is to fight my way through it. I try desperately to find a way out—a way of escape. But God never intended for me to wrestle with trouble or to hide from it. He certainly never meant for me to escape it. In fact, Jesus warned me that in this life I would have trouble. The good news is He has overcome all trouble. And if He’s an overcomer, than I am too! Being an overcomer doesn’t mean I’ll escape hardships. No. Adversity is one of God’s greatest tools for growing me spiritually. It’s in the growing process that I find victory.
It’s in the process that I find God’s mercies.
It’s in the process that I discover His ability to change me.
It’s in the process that I become holy, as He is holy.
It’s in the process that joy and peace become my companions.
It’s in the process that I become complete
It’s in trouble that God does a new thing; a new work.
Presently, I’m learning to trust in God’s sovereignty. When I choose to see things from the perspective that God is in control of all things, fear and my need to work it out vanishes. I may not understand God’s purpose in it, but I can trust Him because I believe He is on my side. And if God is on my side, then anything that touches my life, He’s aware of. In fact, He’s allowed it for my good.
That’s where faith comes in. When I can say, “God, I don’t understand what’s happening. I didn’t plan for this and I certainly don’t like it, but I trust you” is when peace and joy become my companions in the face of trouble.
When I bank on God’s unending love, fear loses it’s grip. Sorrow gives way to contentment, and I can see God’s hand at work in my circumstances. His loving hand is renewing, restoring and sculpting me into the woman He desires me to be.
I’m learning not to let my troubles drag me into worry. Instead, I’m learning to see it as a heavenly intervention where God is not causing me harm, but rather doing a new thing. With that perspective, I’m able to welcome trouble. I’m able to see the good side of trouble and my response is thankfulness. I’m thankful that my God is at work bringing to completion in me all He has promised.
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