"WHEN TROUBLE SURROUNDS US"

Our lives are filled with troubling situations. Day by day we can be beaten down on our journey in life. But through God's Word and prayer, we receive His grace, which omforts our troubled souls and strengthens our Christian walk.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Matthew 5:11

Jesus warned that men shall "revile you, and persecute you." This became true during His own ministry, in the livesof the apostles, and throughout the history of the church.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." Luke 6:22

This verse speaks of those who are hated, reproached, considered outcasts, and called evil. Look back into Old Testament times and you'll find this to be true. It is SO TRUE today! The man who preaches the Word of God is going to have a rough time. If he does not have a rough time, something is wrong! We must depend on our faith to get us through the everyday experiences and troubles we face in life while we are here on this earth ~ keeping in mind how we will be glorified by God in the end.

"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." 1Peter 4:14

Suffering is a token that you are a child of God. The greatest proof that you are a child of God is that you can endure suffering. You can glorify God whatever comes. I have recently read that during the devastating San Francisco earthquake back in 1906, there was a wonderful Christian lady who survived the quake and came out of it singing praises to God. Everyone else was either crying or praying for the first time in their lives. Someone asked the woman, "What do you mean by singing praises to God at a time like this?" Her response stuck to me like glue: "I thank God that I have a God who is strong enough to shake this little earth!" Amen to that!!! There are very few people who could give God praise during the time of an earthquake.

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Romans 12:19

When someone strikes you on one cheek, it is hard to turn the other cheek. We find it difficult not to hit back. But the minute we take matters into our own hands by hitting back, we have taken it out of God's control, and we are no longer walking in faith. God is saying to us, "You walk by faith with Me, and let Me handle the matter for you, because I will handle it in a just manner." We should turn all our troubles over to the Lord. He will take care of us!

Application: Our faith is not everything it should be if it fails us in the everyday experiences and troubles in life. For every great conflict we face, let us always remember, our Lord gives great strength. He is always there for us in our daily walks through life. Surrender your troubles to Him! He is a Perfect and Just God.

Today's Devotion: "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: AND BE NOT AFRAID OF THEIR TERROR, NEITHER BE TROUBLED." 1Peter 3:13,14

God Bless You All, as you place your troubled hearts and minds in our Savior's Hands.