Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Psalm 119:67

The law of sowing and reaping is written on the human psyche.  When trouble strikes, we immediately begin to wonder what we’ve done to end up in the mess we’re in.  Why did this happen to me?  Here are some things to consider if you’re facing a problem today:

To begin, realize that trouble is universal.  Whether you brought your problem on yourself or were a victim of someone’s wrongdoing, everyone faces trouble and adversity. None–no matter how righteous or how evil–is exempted from it (Matthew 5:45).

So too, nothing in life is forever.  Like the old gospel song, “Trouble, don’t last always.” We forget that both trouble and blessing are temporary conditions.

When trouble knocks on your door, it’s time to remember that emotions are not the absolute tellers of truth. Panic lacks perspective. In the heat of emotion, we feel like we think we won’t live through the night of trouble, but we do.

Most importantly, cultivate the habit of focus-shifting in trouble. Think of Psalm 34:3 and even Mary’s prayer of praise: “O, magnify the Lord with me” and “My soul magnifies the Lord!” (Luke 1:46-55). When my focus of my mind and soul is on the capacity and love of God, my spirit quiets. Imagine peering up at God with a magnifying glass then gasping when you remember just who He is in relation to your troubles.  He is able, “…through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

 

Resource reading: Luke 1:46-55