Although God isn’t the source of trouble, following after Christ requires we walk through some troubled times.
Does God intentionally throw trouble on us to make us stronger — or does God work in our lives in spite of them?
I apparently touched on a controversial question when I wrote “Anyone Seen My Blueprints?“. It triggered some pretty awesome conversation in the comments.
One blogger’s response especially caught my eye.
“While I agree completely with the thought that God would not bring affliction to us, I think he does ask us to make difficult choices and to pass through hard times as a result of them.
I don’t know how that all works out exactly, but Paul, for instance, was told point blank that he would be arrested in Jerusalem, but he also knew he had to go.
In other words, God asks us to pass through hard times even if he’s not necessarily the source of the hard times, and he will not abandon us.”
Writer friend, Ed Cyzewski, theologian and author of Coffeehouse Theology
advanced the ball in this topic of trouble versus trials.
In response, Ed wrote up a post on In A Mirror Dimly, and I cheered. He did an excellent job delineating two things that are often scrunched together.
Are You Going Through Troubles or Trials?
Encountering troubles is as common as catching a cold. It’s a by-product of living.
We’re vulnerable to our bad choices and the ones others make. This is where God works in spite of trouble. He’s promised to make good out of bad in our lives, since we belong to Him. Unconditionally.
If we are following after God’s plan for our lives, we will also be sure encounter trials.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2,3
We can take comfort clearing one thing out of the equation: God does not inflict pain to accomplish His purposes.
We can also add one important point on this: Jesus carries our pain, so we don’t have to suffer alone and He will be with us always (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 20)
Either way, God is with us in all our troubles and trials. This is in God’s plan.
“If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and
follow me.” Jesus, Luke 9:24
Could God be prompting you to make a tough decision by faith?
What encourages you to keep going?
Be sure to hop over now to Ed's place and read "The Storms of Life: God, Hard Times, and the Cost of Discipleship".
It's a good one.
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15 Comments
I love this! It can be difficult sometimes to differentiate between troubles and trials. I think this offers a very good view and realistic explanation of the two.
They are both difficult experiences. It’s helpful to stay real, while being reminded that God is in both.
“Encountering troubles is as common as catching a cold. It’s a by-product of living.
We’re vulnerable to our bad choices and the ones others make. This is where God works in spite of trouble.”
I’ve been hung up on a few things lately because I’ve had a fear of making a bad decision when the “correct” answer isn’t obvious. Of course, I’m trying to avoid trouble but also making attempts to prosper, so it’s not always easy! These circumstances have been ridiculous, but it is so reassuring to know that God is there regardless.
Wonderful post!
.-= Jake´s last blog ..Trying Not To . . . =-.
I’m the same way. I don’t want to be responsible! 😉 But, then I’d hate it the same if I felt I didn’t have the freedom to choose. You are in a very real circumstance we ALL relate to – not at all ridiculous! You now got me thinking about another post… !
Bonnie, I did a similar post in January, “Test or Temptation?.” At the time, I had no idea that I was about to be tested to the very extreme.
I especially appreciate you saying, “He’s promised to make good out of bad in our lives, since we belong to Him.” In the end, it is our response rather than the source which makes the difference to this question—how much we cooperate with God to make good.
There’s the rub — can we believe God can make good out of bad? It always amazes me because I’m usually more doubtful. But, God said… even if faith is as small as a mustard seed… 😉
Actually keeping going is difficult some days. I pray and read and pray some more. Eventually, the cloud lifts. Although I know (intellectually) God is there helping me, I often feel so alone. When I read, I find others feel that way also. It helps do hear that, so I keep reading and praying and trying to put into motion what I feel God is asking me to do. One question keeps coming to me– if God is all loving and all powerful and all knowing, why does He allow so much distruction in the world. When I hear of another young woman being raped and murdered, that is when I ask that question again. I know the answer–God gives us free will, so he chooses to let us make our own choices. We have total freedom to live and act as we choose. I just want Him to stop the bad guys. It hurts to hear these things in the news. It makes me afraid and very, very sad. The answer makes sense, but it doesn’t take away the grief.
I feel the same way thinking about women getting raped and murdered… and (goodness, I can’t hardly even type this… ) children. ;( It really comes down to the God I want to believe in — whether I believe God is really good — or whether I’m more inclined to suspect that He’s cold and unaffected. I have both feelings seeping into my thoughts whenever I hear of some horrible crime. But, I think about the cross, how many times He’s rescued me from my mistakes, for no reason — other than His love. Then, I dare to say, “God, you have to be sick to your stomach and angry beyond comprehension about this. You’ve got to make things right one day.”
Keeping going is difficult. Praise God, we are in His care. Jesus is described as a man of sorrows, while He was here. You are right, we still grieve, even though we may know in our heads that everything will come out right in the end. There is pain on this side of heaven. Thanks for sharing.
It’s interesting I stumbled into this post tonight. I guess it’s just God! Hubby and I were just talking about this exact same topic an hour ago. Troubles vs Trials, God, Life… Even though I sometimes still have questions, it is always reassuring to know that God is always there with us, whatever we are facing. Thanks for sharing!
~Bomi
.-= Bomi Jolly´s last blog ..Got Your Shot? =-.
Bomi! I’m so happy you stumbled here. I was wondering how this post was going to go over — and my husband just encouraged me (an hour ago, during dinner) by saying God will use the post to connect with someone who might be looking for what was written here. 🙂 Amazing!
“What encourages you to keep going?”
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
His grace encourages me to keep going. It’s always been more than sufficient in everyone of my trials and troubles. And if my tank is running low, I can always ask for more grace. I don’t have to work it up or figure it out, I just have to ask and accept it.
.-= Larry Who´s last blog ..The Death of Christianity’s Influence on Politics in America (Part 7) =-.
Great reminder!
Wow! What a great comment from your reader, followed by a great post from your friend. You’ve truly created a community here and it’s so interesting to see people being able to connect on such an important topic. There have been times in the last year that I pondered this question of what the source of the trouble I was going through really was. I knew God was allowing me to pass through the fire to refine and strengthen me, but I always felt He wasn’t the source of it. The reminder of Paul & how God prepared Him for the trials to come, while not removing the obstacles remindes me of a quote someone said on Twitter the other day. The gist of it was that God promises in the Bible that we can do all things through Christ’s strength…not that He’ll make everything easy for us. Great post & topic, Bonnie!
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Oh, for goodness sake… =-.
Great post…..keeps me thinking!
I believe that God “allows” trials in our lives for a reason and purpose.
Sometimes we find ourselves in that fire and need to remember that God is “refining” us…..burning off those impurities and we are certainly destined to come out of it all much better in the end.
.-= *~Michelle~*´s last blog ..Breech of Security? =-.
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheBonnieGray: New Post — What’s The Difference Between Trouble & Trial? http://bit.ly/cOb874 I respond to reader, author @EdCyzewski…