“Life Has its’ Troubles, But Can You See God?”

To quote two people who knew something about trouble but had very different perspectives on it…

“Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble.” Job 14: 1

 “In the world you will have tribulation (trouble): but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jesus) John 16: 33.

Job could not see beyond his trouble but Jesus saw someone greater than His trouble! Keep in mind that perspective is everthing when it comes to our attitude and altitude. It gives us the ability to rise above the trouble, and as Jesus said to “be of good cheer” because we have a great expectation of our great God!

Biblically, trouble is defined as, “to suffer affliction, to be troubled,” it also has reference to sufferings due to the pressure of circumstances, or the hostility of persons. Trouble is anything which burdens the spirit.   

We all have a story or two to tell about our trouble.  I might not know the specifics of yours and you don’t know mine, but the real question is; can we see God?

 Usually at the height or peak of our suffering we start asking questions. Jesus did. He said, “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” (Mat. 27:46).
God doesn’t mind the why questions, but just follow it up with faith statements; because Luke 23: 46 tells us He said, “Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit.”  It’s important to know that we may not get an answer to the why question but we will get the help that we need for the trouble!

Here are a few frequently asked questions during our trouble and the key to seeing God:

  1. God where are You? He’s El Elyon, the sovereign ruler of the universe and He’s omnipresent. David said, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Ps. 139:7 & 8), and the answer is nowhere! He will never leave us nor forsake us!

 

  1. God do You see? Hagar said He’s El Roi the God who sees. God saw her affliction (Gen. 16: 1 – 13) but He didn’t deliver her from her trouble, better yet   He gave her a promise, a word of hope in the midst of her trouble.
  1. God do You care? Even the disciples, the soon to be Apostles asked this question (Mk. 4: 35 – 41), Master, do You not care that we are perishing?” Of course He cared, but they forgot that He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” You see sometimes things start out good but as we get into deeper water things can get quite rough, none the less, He’s with us and remember destiny and victory is waiting for us on the other side, where the water is calm. He will perfect those things which concern us. (Ps. 138:8)

 

 And last but not least…

  1. God why me? Well, why not you? Would we prefer it be the other person? But who is the other person? Our spouse, our children, our family or friends, or just the other person we don’t know so that we can say all the things we usually say when we hear of the trouble of others.

 

This is also the time we start reciting our resume to God… I go to church, I pray, I try to live right and treat everyone well, I give my tithe and etc. Well guess what, that just proved that you’re the person for the job, the trouble, welcome to the battle! God allowed it because He has confidence in us and a purpose for it. Is He awesome or what!  Paul said, “For our light (not heavy) affliction (trouble), which is but for a moment (brief compared to eternity), is working (producing) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (something of value)…II Cor. 4: 16 –18. 

We can see God if we recognize His interventions…
           

These are all done by whom He chooses, when He chooses and how He chooses. Certainly if we could choose, we would do it differently, but remember His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, they’re much higher and far better! (Isa. 55: 8 – 9)

Aren’t you glad about that? Be blessed!

Wanda

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