Troubles and tribulations

Troubles and tribulations are all around us because this world - and sadly, a large amount of its inhabitants - are in a state of disarray because of sin.

Because of sin, the original way God created everything has left its natural order of things (see Genesis 3:1-19).

In my life, I have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t or isn’t facing some kind of trouble. Fear, sickness, broken relationships and shattered dreams try to rob us of our joy and take away our peace, yet one of God’s greatest promises is that all of these adversities will be no more - indeed, they shall be forgotten in heaven where “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (see Revelation 21:4). This is the reality of Heaven - that throughout eternity there will be a more intimate relationship between Christ and His church for He is, and will always be, the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne and will lead us to living fountains of waters. (see Revelations 7:17).

With these promises and assurances, let’s keep our eyes on what awaits us at the end of our journey. The future holds no situations or terrors we cannot face because beyond any crisis we may face lies heaven which is much more than a dream; it’s a hope and reality and because of this reality, we shouldn’t allow the things that come at us, or fear, or discouragement to cause us to lose hope because our hope is not based in this life - it’s based in Christ. Speaking of this hope of heaven Paul said in 1st Corinthians 15:19: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” because of the incredible persecution they endured, as do many of our brothers and sisters today, looking forward to heaven.

Even secular society has learned that when hope dies, despair overwhelms people because hope is both biologically and psychologically vital to our well being. Someone who believes there is no hope usually just gives up. This is why we are to be as the Psalmist and “set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” (see Psalm 16:8-9)

True hope and assurance for the future comes only from having a vibrant relationship with Christ through faith in the workof salvation He has done for us and “Being confi dent of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (see Philippians 1:6). That will help us to be able to “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” and to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:15-16). Without that relationship, it is impossible for us to have lasting hope for we will fi nd ourselves only looking at today and the problems of today and how huge they appear to us. Why?

Most people, including Christians, can have 10 things that are good in their lives, yet when one trouble or bad thing happens, that thing now becomes the focus of their thoughts, which becomes the instigator of their actions, which illuminates their inability to a◊ect any lasting change which causes them to be consumed with worry which in turns chips away at their hope which…. I think you get the picture.

With a strong relationship with Jesus, we have the ability to do as Peter says and “Cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1st Peter 5:7) Or not - it’s our choice.

There are many things that come our way we have no control over, yet we need to be thankful to God in the middle of all things - in fact, 1st Thessalonians 5:18 tells us: “In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Because of the hope and faith we have in Jesus, no matter what kind of situation we are facing, we can say with confi dence: “God is still being good to me because of all the goodness that is there.” We can say this realizing that if the goodness and mercy of God were not present in whatever situation we faced, the situation would be a whole lot worse than it is.

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Editor’s note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail [email protected], or write in care of The Times at prtnews@ nwaonline.com or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.