‘In this world, you may have trouble’

It’s official, at least, according to the groundhog — six more weeks of winter. Where’s Bill Murray when you need him?

There are numerous times in our life when you receive information or opinions that are contrary to what you would like or what you would like to see happen.

This even happens in our faith. I know lots of people who have been on the receiving end of bad news whether a diagnosis of an illness or some other daunting piece of information. The question comes to mind. How do we deal with these types of things?

I think first we have to stop and understand something that has been misconstrued by some.

Just because you are a follower of Jesus does not mean you are exempt from negative things happening. A false narrative of if I follow Jesus everything will be perfect and nothing bad will ever happen to me has been propagated by many in the faith community.

Jesus and His redemption and salvation are not merely some humanitarian provision program.

In John 16 we read in verse 33 Jesus says, “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.”

Jesus never promised an easy time in this world. He did promise that he would never leave us or forsake us.

What about these negative things that seem to come at us? How do we deal with them in the context of our faith?

First, admit it hurts. I heard an international pastor/speaker say, “it is time we stop sprinkling Jesus glitter on things and instead take the time and let Jesus heal the hurt.”

Our first step in walking in victory over these negative things is to admit the pain that we are in. In that moment of truth, we then will find the healing and support of the Holy Spirit.

As a church, we know that Jesus is the ultimate healer, but we have failed to catch the other part of the puzzle. We can’t just pretend that negative thing ever happened or we didn’t hear the diagnosis.

We can, however, stand upon the Scriptures that say exactly what John 16:33 does. I may have trouble and things may have happened but since Jesus overcame the world, He overcame my problems and he overcame that diagnosis.

Does that mean that we do not have to endure the trial? No, that means we have to stand on our faith in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross.

That is the second step. Standing in faith of what Jesus has already done.

Jesus died to save us and restore our relationship that was broken. Even in the midst of hardship and trial, God is still faithful and we can count on him to be true to his word.

Faith, fervently acknowledging I trust him. Even as we battle the pain and the hurt, we ask God to help us heal and grow closer to him.

We read the Scriptures and draw strength from the passages we read. Praying becomes more of a conversation with God and an opportunity to talk with him and gain understanding for the why.

The last step is to avoid the urge to isolate ourselves.

When we are hurt or we are going through trials and troubles, our response is usually step away and circle our wagons and control ever interaction that we have.

It is a way our flesh tries to protect itself. The issue with isolation is that it causes us to seek control rather than take advantage of the community of Christ that is the church.

We are in this with one another. Many passages of scripture speak of the power of the Church and the church community.

Yes, the church may have flaws. Yes, the church may have had its series of missteps, but remember Christ died for the church.

He implemented it so that we could have strength from one another. If we bring our hurts and trials and are honest about them to those around us, we set ourselves up to see the beauty of what church is supposed to be doing.

There are imperfect people in churches and leaders that are imperfect, but what makes it wonderful is that even through the imperfections, God is still sovereign and his precious Holy Spirit is still moving and speaking and helping each and every one who calls on Jesus.