October 20 | Overcoming the Troubles of Life

Series | The Overcoming Life

Scripture | John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Lesson 20 | Troubles of Life, “I Have Too Many Problems”

What kind of troubles are you facing in life today? Money troubles?  Family troubles?  Health troubles?  If you don’t have any troubles right now- trust me they are coming!  And if you just overcame some troubles in the past take a deep breath and get some rest because new ones are getting ready to come your way!  How do I know?  Because Jesus promised in the verse above, “in this world you will have trouble!”  You can always count on having “trouble” in this life- it's a promise.

I have been serving God for many years and there has never been a time in my life that I didn’t face some kind of trouble.  Certainly, there are harder times than others and I’m sure my “troubles” pale in comparison to other people’s troubles.  But the truth about troubles is- it doesn't matter what other people are facing because each person’s troubles are enough to trouble them!

Its like “puppy love,” it may not be full fledged love compared to a couple that has been married for 50 years- but puppy love is all the love a lil’ puppy knows and can handle!  And your troubles may not compare to other’s trouble- but it doesn’t matter.  Your troubles are all the trouble you need. 

At the same, just as sure as we are going to face troubles in this life God promised us that He would deliver us from them all.  David said in Psalm 34:19, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”  So even though the righteous person may have “many troubles,” God promised to deliver “him from them all!” 

I believe that our deliverance is sometimes in this world and other times it is in the world to come.  However, we can always count on having peace no matter what we are facing.  God’s peace is so great it even surpasses are own understanding.  Paul said in Philippians 4:6-7, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Therefore, you have two options; (1) Option One: You can go through life without God on your side and by defeated by your troubles and then spend eternity in hell. Or (2) Option Two: You can have Jesus on your side in life and be delivered from all your troubles, have peace and joy in this life, and then spend eternity in His presence.  What option do you choose?  I choose “Option One!”

No matter what, we are going to face troubles in life, but with God we are promised peace and joy in the midst of them.  Plus, Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us, Hebrews 13:5.  And, in all that we suffer here on this earth our present heartache is not comparable to the blissful glory we will receive after this life is over.

Let these words that Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encourage your faith, “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Are life’s troubles making you feel like giving up?  Then pray this out loud, “Father, please forgive me for complaining and not trusting you in the midst of all my troubles.  I ask that you would give me love, joy, and peace by the Holy Spirit in the midst of all my troubles.  And I believe one day I will overcome them all. Amen.”

Reflection | Do you feel like giving up?

Action | (1) Repent if you have allowed doubt and despair to come into your heart because of the troubles you are facing in life. (2) Read and prayerfully mediate on Psalm 91.  (3) Lastly, don’t give up just because you’re facing troubles.  Draw closer to God and let Him deliver you from all your troubles- either in this life or the one to come. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Jeremiah 35:1-36:32, 1 Timothy 5:1-25, Psalm 89:14-37, & Proverbs 25:25-27. Click here to read online.