The Message of a Missionary
Troubles, Troubles, Troubles – Part 2

 Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Continuing from yesterday’s study, we go back to verse 17 when Paul indicates that our troubles have a purpose.  The apostle points to the fact that “troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  Except for some disciplinary action (Hebrews 12), our troubles are not caused by God but by the world we live in.  This is the bad news.  The good news is that God is willing to step into our troubles and create purpose in them.

            Troubles work a good work in us if we handle them correctly.  Our first action when faced with troubles ought to be a quick prayer.  We need not describe the trouble.  He already is fully aware!  What we want to pray is a prayer of faith that surrenders the trouble to our God who is well prepared to help us.  This prayer should tell God that we are open to His work in us through the troubles that have come upon us!

            The second step when faced with trouble could be to take any action we can do to fix the problem.  My mother loved the adage: “God helps those who help themselves.”  In other words, God gave us a brain; we should use it to deal with the trouble as much as we can.  There may be little we can do, but let’s do what we can and then rest in the fact that God takes over from there!  (Continued)

Father, grant me peace and your wisdom as I face the troubles in my life.  I will do all I know to do in Jesus’ name, amen.