Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday May 6, 2008

Being a close acquaintance of trouble I often write about this specter which God, in His mercy often turns into a grace angel for our benefit. Knowing this truth dampens the edge of trouble, but still, I would rather be trouble free. And so would most people.

The idea of being trouble free is as old as the race and we search in all known fields and spooky people attempt to search unknown, perhaps unknowable worlds to find answers to the pain, the problem of trouble. A man known for his long line of tormenting troubles, Job, wrote in his book of trouble and the things associated with it in Job 5:7:

"Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."

From the day a person is born earth and heaven are supplicated for this, this new wonderful, first time ever child to be insulated from trouble. I suppose God smiles and says; "Sure, I am going to violate my plan just this once, just for you." Even butterflies could not fly without struggling from the cocoon.

Snake oil salesmen line up by the thousands, dressed in the garb of the clergy, of business and what politician fails to assure us that he/she will make meaningful contributions toward a trouble free life. No one or group can deliver on such promises. God himself does not make such promises, but He does assure us of His presence IN trouble. Job testifies to this. As sure as when you put the axe to the wheel, the sparks fly, so the fact that you will have trouble. God not only permits this, but it is part of His plan.

What are we to do about trouble?

Live through it with grace.

Trouble in whatever form is designed to sharpen us, and to reveal to us and those who watch just where we need a little touch up from God. The greatest thing you can plan to do in trouble is to perform as a person who truly believes God. By this I mean our reaction, our performance in trouble is far more important than what pain the trouble may cause. To refuse to compromise our true self, our faith in God is more important that any temporary deliverance from the present trouble.

To face our daily troubles with courage is a testimony to who we really are. To face the occasional troubles, often enormous ones with courage is a grand testimony to the power of the Lord working in us. And this means we do NOT throw aside our beliefs, our deeply held principles.

I was reminded just the other day of Margaret Mitchell's famous line from "Gone With The Wind" where in a time of world changing trouble she has Rhett Butler say to Scarlett O'Hara,

"When you throw your principles overboard in a storm, you'll find they've suffered a sea of change when you retrieve them."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with Credit.

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