Should the Presence of God Be Desired When Facing Trouble?

Facing trouble is not an occasional experience, for each new day presents new trouble. Yet most people begin the day convinced they are in charge of their serenity. Then when critical issues arise, they feel comforted by believing God is present to help.

When David came into Saul’s life, Saul felt fortunate and pleased. Saul gave him a high commission in the army that previously had gone to experienced commanders. As David’s success accrued, the more praise and admiration the people voiced for him

1 Samuel 18 informs us Saul began to fear David, even perceived him as an enemy as his ability to cope with David’s success faded away. There’s a correlation between managing life’s troubles and sensing God’s presence to give insight and wisdom for problem solving. 

Jesus prompts us to seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness so that help will be forthcoming.                        

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We rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

~Romans 5:3-5 New Living Translation

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The Destiny of Hope

The majority of human beings are capable of possessing hope. Even though it plays an incredible role in life, we seldom give it much thought. Failing to possess hope implies life has become so troubled and chaotic that all faith for a good future appears to have evaporated. But where does hope stem from and how do we get it?

The apostle Paul instructs us to do what seems impossible.“We rejoice in suffering because we know suffering builds perseverance, which shapes our character, so therefore hope is created. Our hope does not disappoint us because God pours into our hearts his love by the Holy Spirit."

By this progression we have suffering and perseverance, which build character and hope. Character’s foundation is made of strong values and ethics, encased in patience and kindness along with love for God and his people, which produce the attribute of hope. The Holy Spirit helps us understand and accept that hope is our destiny which is given by Christ Jesus.  

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Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.

~Psalm 62:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible

 

And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.

~Romans 15:4 Contemporary English Version

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Shackled to Suffering and Loneliness?

In reading the biography of Joseph from the Genesis account, we see him coping with slavery, being sentenced to indefinite imprisonment and facing a possible lifetime separation from his family. All of this came about because of his brothers’ hatred. They believed he got what was coming to him, so they cared less what he had to endure.

I'm sure Joseph resented his brothers in return for the suffering he had tolerated. Suffering is as much a part of life as is pleasure. Parents suffer seeing their children experience unhappiness regardless of its source. As adults we must learn to cope with suffering brought on by life’s uncertainties and conflicts that cannot be avoided.

Hate, anger and resentment build bridges to alienation and suffering that are capable of being prolonged indefinitely. Being unwilling to forgive shackles you to a wall of loneliness where love and affection will diminish. Joseph chose to forgive his brothers by stepping out in faith, believing God would bless him for doing so. That can be your choice.  

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Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.

~2 Corinthians 5:17 Good News Bible

But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

~Romans 5:3-5 Good News Bible

Determined to Make a Difference

Victor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, was arrested by the German SS during World War II because he was a Jew. He spent years in concentration camps and survived the harshest conditions. Every day, no matter how sick, oppressed or terrible his circumstances, he determined to do something good, to make his life useful by helping others.

It’s hard to comprehend the pain and suffering he experienced every day. His covenant with himself was to make every day meaningful so he could go to sleep at night believing he had been beneficial. This attitude became his bridge for survival.  I often think of Victor Frankl when I want to complain about how difficult life can be now.

God’s Word tells us Jesus endured the cross so we could be liberated from the bondage of sin and personal guilt. A wise thinker put it this way, “The paradox of liberation is that to preserve freedom and to struggle for it, one must already have freedom within.” Victor Frankl had that freedom. Jesus provides that freedom to you. 

Resilience: Character Strength for Survival - Part 1

When reading biographies of Christian martyrs, it's impossible not to be amazed by their character strength to endure hardship and pain. They refused to give in to pressures and temptations and abandon their commitment to Christ and his church. Their faith paralleled St. Paul's, who was willing to face death rather than default on his faith in Christ. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day."

President John F. Kennedy acknowledged this strength of character. "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Defectors and traitors usually are despised because they portray a weakness of character like Judas, who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Resilience is a character strength that enables each of us to overcome adversity and hardships we're bound to face. Pain is inescapable, but St. Paul declared that he rejoiced in suffering because he knew that suffering produced perseverance, another good synonym for resilience. Standing up to adversity strengthens your faith in Christ Jesus. 

Facing Tough Realities: Pressing On - Part 1

The facts of reality are not always easy to accept, but most individuals  eventually face what cannot be denied. The issue is learning how to deal constructively with reality, which is a basic principle for making choices for effective change in difficult situations. This applies to power struggles where   striving for dominance and control jeopardize a relationship.

Someone told me he finally realized the futility of fighting with his wife. A deeper hurt was the lack of closeness and loneliness they both experienced. Quarreling proved to be a "no win" situation as the main issue failed to be addressed. Getting bogged down in power struggles overlooks areas where there is compatibility for potential happiness.

Dealing constructively with reality requires making some tough choices. What appears impossible can become workable by accepting the positive attributes about a person or relationship. Being flexible enough for God to create an attitude of hope in you is a choice you can make. Hope that rests in Christ Jesus builds confidence for facing tough realities.