When Troubles Comes7/12/2023 I grew up in southeast Louisiana and now live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where hurricanes are a “natural” part of life. If you don’t know, when hurricanes form, they are categorized (i.e. given a level of intensity between 1 and 5). The higher the number, the more intense the storm. In recent years, however, meteorologists have recategorized hurricanes once all the data has been collected and combed through withing a year. Some storms have been upgraded while others downgraded. Why do they do this? Well, with a complete data set in hand, hindsight is 20/20. So, maybe that Cat 5 was really a Cat 3 at landfall. Storms almost always seem to be worse while we’re in them. I’m reminded of what a former pastor once said: “The biggest storm you’ll ever go through is the one you’re going through right now.” In the moment, things always seem bigger and more intense. Though, with hindsight, things might be more clearly seen. What was a big deal for us at age 15 may not even be a blip on a map now. But, nonetheless, troubles will come. Jesus said as much in John 16.33: “In this world, you will have suffering.” Whether in our marriage, parenting, finances, ministry, career, or countless other areas, troubles are sure to come. In fact, troubles are like waves: we can’t stop them from coming, but we can choose how to ride them. So, when troubles, come, what should we do? What caused the trouble?
King David brought trouble on himself when he sinned (2 Sam. 11). Jesus brought trouble by simply proclaiming the truth of God (Choose any Gospel or the book of Acts). Job found himself in trouble allowed by God for the glory of God. Because of the lingering effects of sin in the life of believers, we still sin and cause trouble for both us and others. When that’s the case, we need to confess, repent, make amends and restitution before we can move on. “Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?” asks the Psalmists, “except he who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps. 24.3-4). Keep short accounts, allow the Lord God to purify you and cleanse you (Is. 6.6; 1 John 1.9; Ps. 51.7). Have others caused your trouble? Then commit yourself to the Lord and trust him to bring you through it. Others will sin against us and we are told what we must do: forgive (Eph. 4.32). This does not mean we condone or overlook the consequences of their sin. Rather, it means we release the supposed “right” to hold a grudge and execute vengeance for ourselves. Still, there are times when we nor others have committed sin; we simply find ourselves in trouble because God has saw fit in his omniscience and power to allow in our lives. I think of Job, who, without having sinned, encountered great difficulty and sorrow in his life for the glory of the Lord. When he finally expressed frustration, God graciously reminded him of his place. When we know the source of trouble, we are better able to deal with any root causes first. Remember, we want clean hands and a pure heart (Ps. 24.3-4). As God the Holy Spirit leads, confess and repent of any known sin, lay your burdens before the Lord, and trust him. Thank God for the opportunity. There’s quiet of bit of pain in my story—more than I care to admit to myself, others, and even the Lord (though he already knows; cf. Ps. 139). I’ve slowly been learning this: Holy God wastes nothing. In the proper time, he will use every bit of my story to his glory. Recognizing that God does not waste anything, thank your Heavenly Father for the opportunity you have to experience his working—yes, even in navigating the consequences of your sin. King David was not willing to waste the lessons learned from his sin. That’s why in Psalm 51.12-13 he committed to teach sinners God’s ways if he would allow it: “Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. (13) Then I will teach the rebellious your ways, and sinners will return to you.” When others cause your trouble, consider Joseph: “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people” (Gen. 50.20). Joseph recognized, albeit through years of hardship, that God remained sovereign even in the midst of human sinfulness. We can trust that God is able to turn all things for our good and his glory in the proper time (Romans 8.28). When God is allows the trouble consider it pure joy—just as with all trouble—because it will have a perfect and God honoring effect…if you allow it (James 1.2-4). Consider the tomato plant: If you don’t “stress” (i.e. pluck the suckers off that grow between the main stalk and the branches) it won’t bear much fruit. You do not stress the plant to kill it, but to help grow it. Friend, God does not waste anything. The very things that seem insurmountable, horrible, and the most painful are the very things God is willing to use to demonstrate his greatness and power (cf. 2 Corinthians 1.3-7). Paul was a murderer turned missionary. Moses a murderer turned deliverer. Rahab was a harlot turned Grandmother of Jesus. And…well, you get the point. God takes trouble and pain and turns it for good. John Piper said it like this: “We look at life from the back side of the tapestry. And most of the time, what we see is loose threads, tangled knots, and the likes. But occasionally, God’s light shines through the tapestry, and we get a glimpse of the larger design with God weaving together the darks and lights of existence.” Draw closer to God. Spurgeon said that “untested faith may be real faith, but it is sure to be little faith.” Trouble can drive a wedge between us and Holy God if we’re not careful. I think of my own life and how often I have been tempted to become angry at God for the trouble I experienced. However, when we choose to draw near to God in our troubles, we learn great truths we have yet to discover in our walk with him. I think of a ministry situation in my own life that I am still processing. Depending on the day determines how I think of the situation—some days I’m angry, others I’m sad; but, on some days, I’m thankful for what God has allowed. With each passing day I continue to speak with Holy God about these things and thankfulness prevails even more. Through the difficulty, God has taught me to trust his care and his ability to meet all my needs (not my greeds) at just the right time (Phil. 4.19). Still in a more current situation, God is teaching me greater discipline in my journey with him as I navigate each week. And I’m thankful that he is at work in each area of my life. But that thankfulness can only prevail when I actively choose to draw near to God. The same goes for you, too. When we choose to reject God’s plan for responding to trouble, we can be assured that trouble will win every time. Frankly, when we choose to reject God’s plan, we’re functional atheists. Dear friend, draw near to Holy God. Only he can orient our hearts and minds to his immutable truth and character. Only he, through the indwelling presence of God the Holy Spirit, can enable and empower us to “rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in everything for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5.16-18). Take a breath and bask in his presence. Just as Holy God won’t waste our troubles, neither will Satan. He will use the troubles of life to redirect our attention from Holy God to anything and everything else. When Peter took his eyes of Jesus, he became afraid and began to sink (Matthew 14.22-33). We will either focus on Jesus or our trouble; one will sustain us and the other will destroy us. Believer, after you’ve identified the cause of the issue, thanked God for his working, and have drawn near to him, take a breath and take care of yourself. The primary way we take care of ourselves begins with trusting God and being with him. Jeremiah wrote: “Lord, there is no one like you. You are great; your name is great in power” (Jer. 10.6). Do you believe this…that there is no one like our God? If you do, then take a breather! He’s sovereign over all things—from the first “let there be” to the final “amen.” Stop worrying about tomorrow because it will not profit you anything. I do not know what you’re dealing with, but Holy God does. So, I leave you with these words from Scripture as you endeavor to bask in his presence. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Jesus in Matthew 10.28-30 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” -Jesus in Matthew 6.33 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trails, (3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” -James 1.2-4 On the Journey, KT
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The Grammys: Are You Surprised?2/8/2023 I consume a regular stream of political news and commentary. I begin my mornings by listening to “The Briefing” with Albert Mohler. I then turn my attention to “Morning Wire” by the Daily Wire and then will listen to a few different political commentors depending on the day. I also pay attention to what people are talking about on social media and I’ve discovered we tend to talk about the things we’re told we should talk about and often we do so not having carefully considered our arguments. That’s what I find helpful about Mohler’s podcast and about Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write”…they carefully consider the matters and then speak.
I am a Christian and am a Pastor. I want to speak to the recent Grammys performance and the outrage that many have expressed. First, why are we surprised by Hollywood’s celebration of the satanic? We live in an increasingly secularized age. Those who subscribe to absolute truth as revealed in Scripture are derided as “bigots” and “uneducated.” We are mocked for our belief in the absolute. The overtures toward Satan—regardless of how overt and “in your face” they were—are simply the fruit and not the root of the problem at hand. People were created to worship the Infinite One and when we deny him his rightful place, we will worship the created. So, dear Christian, why are you surprised that sinners acted sinfully? Second, if you believe that a celebrity is the most influential voice in your child’s life, you may need to consider if you’ve abdicated your God-given responsibility (Deut. 6.4-9). Parent, you, and you alone, have the God-given responsibility to be the primary disciple-maker in the lives of your children—not the world, schools, work, or even the Church. You are it! If you won’t disciple your children, someone will, and you may not like what they are being taught. Even when your children receive discipleship at church, it’s only a supplement for what happens at home. So, how are you discipling your children and in what are you discipling your children? Any easy way to disciple anyone is this: Together, read the Word, explain the Word, pray the Word, and live the Word. Third, know God is not slow concerning his promises. Peter tells us as much in his epistle: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pt. 3.9). God will deal with those who attempt to make a mockery of him and worship the created instead of the Creator (Prov. 3.34-35; Jms. 4.6). God will deal with those who reject truth both publicly and privately. Pray for their salvation and redemption. He redeemed us from our empty way of life, and he can do the same for them (1 Pt. 1.18-19). Finally, this is reminder to examine ourselves. Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write” pointed out that Satan is more deceptive when he’s working in the hearts and minds of members in a local church than on a stage at the Grammys. Lord, keep us from sin—both intentional and unintentional (Ps. 19.13)—so that we may be a people who love you in all our ways (Mt. 22.37). On the Journey, KT Kreig ToddChild of God. 
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