When storms come
“In the world, you will have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
An average view of Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is not. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different.
This was the interesting verse and comment on my desk calendar today. So often, when I am troubled I lose sight of the fact that God never said that my life would be free of trouble. What He did promise was that He would be with me during the trial, that He would never leave me. And that is the difference to Christians.
Think about it – if Christians led ‘charmed’ lives – if we were somehow protected from the troubles that others face, would there be any issue to discuss at all? Everyone would want this God. There would be no questions asked – great relationships, good health, wealth, great bosses… it would be everyone’s dream come true. (And then – would anyone still need God I wonder?) But we are not protected in that way. Instead, Christ tells us that facing troubles is part of the human experience. But He also tells us that it is when we Christians face the tribulations that we become the best witnesses to God that we can be – because it is our chance to show them we are human too. We hurt, we cry, we become angry, we get frustrated. But then we have something else – someone else to turn too. And that makes the difference. We know that when Christ climbed into the boat, the wind died down (Matt 14:32).
Be of good cheer – for He has overcome the world. I may not have the answers. I don’t know why things have to happen to me. But I do know that if I would only be still and trust Him, He will take me through the storm.
An average view of Christian life is that it means deliverance from trouble. It is not. It is deliverance in trouble, which is very different.
This was the interesting verse and comment on my desk calendar today. So often, when I am troubled I lose sight of the fact that God never said that my life would be free of trouble. What He did promise was that He would be with me during the trial, that He would never leave me. And that is the difference to Christians.
Think about it – if Christians led ‘charmed’ lives – if we were somehow protected from the troubles that others face, would there be any issue to discuss at all? Everyone would want this God. There would be no questions asked – great relationships, good health, wealth, great bosses… it would be everyone’s dream come true. (And then – would anyone still need God I wonder?) But we are not protected in that way. Instead, Christ tells us that facing troubles is part of the human experience. But He also tells us that it is when we Christians face the tribulations that we become the best witnesses to God that we can be – because it is our chance to show them we are human too. We hurt, we cry, we become angry, we get frustrated. But then we have something else – someone else to turn too. And that makes the difference. We know that when Christ climbed into the boat, the wind died down (Matt 14:32).
Be of good cheer – for He has overcome the world. I may not have the answers. I don’t know why things have to happen to me. But I do know that if I would only be still and trust Him, He will take me through the storm.
