Understanding Troubled Times

A well-adjusted and healthy life is not necessarily one that is trouble-free but rather one that is particularly well equipped to address the troubles one faces in life. To be in a trouble free environment may not be in our best interest. A hothouse plant, to survive in the outside setting, must be “hardened off,” a process by which it is prepped to face the tougher living standards of exterior living.

It is a very human thought to believe that if the Father really loved us, He would protect us from the struggles we face in life. However, for Him to do so would cause us to be “hot-house believers,” pampered and protected from the harsher realities of life when, in fact, that is not what we need. The reality that our Father does permit us to face trials and tribulations is a sure confirmation of His love for us, not a sign of some sort of cosmic parental neglect. Hebrews assures us: “For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not” (Hebrews 12:6-7)?

Andre Crouch, in his gospel song, Through It All, said, “If we never had a problem, we’d never know that He could solve them. We’d never know what faith in God could do.” The Psalmist accurately voiced the loving care of the Father when he said, “The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalms 34:17-19).

It would be well for us to notice that in the above scripture, the Psalmist does not intimate that the Lord delivers us from our afflictions and troubles, but rather delivers us out of them! There is a significant difference.

We cannot face the vicissitudes of life with a “sweep-it-under-the-carpet” kind of attitude. Troubles must be faced and dealt with in a spiritual and wise manner. To do less is to predisposition ourselves to face even greater difficulties. Troubles don’t usually go away simply because we ignore them. They must be addressed!

Following are some principles that are helpful when one is faced with problems:

ONE
Define the problem. To define it in its simplest terms helps to control and reduce unbridled imagination and anxieties. Neither of these are reliable circumstantial evaluators when we are faced with trials. To define it is the first step in the right direction.

TWO
Discern one’s point of vulnerability that permitted the intrusion of the problem to begin with. Problems can come by invitation or without invitation, but inevitably they hang around because they touch is in a vulnerable spot and find a lodging place.

THREE
Definitively correct, repair, or repent, wherever possible, of every wrong decision made, direction taken, or dereliction of responsibility that precipitated the problem.

FOUR
Determine what steps can be wisely taken to solve the problem. All too often, we attempt to resolve everything at once. Unfortunately, that is not always possible. One should pace himself, doing what he can, as he can, when he can.

FIVE
Depend on the Lord for patience, guidance, and sustenance during the process. Our dependence on Him must under-gird, override, oversee, and outlast every human contrivance and plan. He knows best and will do His best in our behalf as we let Him.

Peter put it very aptly when he admonished us to cast, “all your care upon him; for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Jeff