Changing The Way I Respond To Trouble

I have told you all this, so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. This scripture reiterates the fact that we will face trials/troubles at some point or another – (but we should be encouraged, as there is nothing we can’t handle with Christ). Since trials are inevitable, it is important that we handle them correctly, right?

The Bible says in ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬  “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I Was Thinking How I Handle Trials, And Here Is What I Realized

1. I sometimes sulk, wondering why me?
2. I often go to God asking Him to deliver me from the situation

The Bible says that we are to see our troubles/trials as tools. Tools that help us to grow, develop, and become mature, which is quite interesting.  This scripture got me thinking about the way I handle problems, whether or not I am allowing my problems to mature me. Is God pleased or gets glory from the way I handle the trouble that comes my way?

Benefits of Trouble

The Bible let us know that trouble is an agent that God uses to help us grow and mature in Him. Trouble allows us to dig deep and discover new strengths that we didn’t know we have.  It strengthens us physically, spiritually and mentally, causing us to excel in areas that were once far fetched.  

Trouble causes us to build muscles, to endure greater trials.  This helps us to progressively handle struggles of greater difficulty more efficiently, as we move forward and apply what we learnt from the past crisis.  Trouble builds our faith in God and to some extent, in ourselves. Trouble teaches us essential lessons, lessons that a struggle free life can never teach us.  (Dependence on God, inner strength, peace that passes all understanding, faith).  

How We Should Approach Trouble According To The Bible

The Bible encourages us to approach trouble with joy, this might sound a bit crazy.  However, applying this ‘word’ (James 1:2-4) to our lives will free our minds of worries and fears that trouble usually produces. Approaching trouble with joy as we trust God’s process will certainly help us not to focus on the problem.  

Being joyous in our trials means standing in faith, knowing that all we go through, is allowed by God for a purpose. Our trials are not to discourage or keep us down but to advance us, and as a result, give us added wisdom with each new trial.  

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not going to start thanking God for the awful things that happen in my life, instead, I will thank Him for never leaving me and for working out his purpose in my life. Additionally, I will see each problem as an opportunity to grow and develop.  Changing my self centered responses by dwelling on my temporary discomfort, I will now look at the  BIG PICTURE and count it all joy. Recognizing  that God is using the struggle/trouble to accomplish something for greater than I can imagine.

I must say that hindsight is 20/20, indeed. I usually don’t see any blessings or advantages in the trouble or difficult circumstances.  It is only with time, I can see growth in God’s process, and my person.

I am sure you will agree that when we handle our trials correctly, we exit them being a better version of ourselves. So, tell me how do you handle your trials? Do you allow it to help you to grow? Do you become discouraged? If so, it is time you change the way you respond to trouble as well.  

Be Blessed