Count it all joy

I have a friend who tells me that he has so many problems that there can be no solution. To hear him tell it, everywhere he turns he is faced with another serious problem. He was lamenting his bad fortune again not long ago and something Job said came to mind. “Man is of few days and full of trouble”. Of course Job was God’s extreme example of bad luck and trouble and he went through a series of events that would make my buddies troubles pale away into insignificance.

This made me think of why God allows tribulations to occur in the first place. God is so complex and His reasoning is so difficult to understand that one short answer would be insulting to Him, but I believe my study indicates one objective of it is to help prepare us for our days of real trouble.

An example would be the terrorist attack on 9/11. When it occurred, our company suffered mightily for nearly three months. The entire country was captivated by the media coverage and this unprecedented attack on United States soil. As a result our company did not make a single sale for nearly three months. As the top executives gathered to discuss our dilemma, I saw real panic and fear in their eyes. They envisioned everything for which we had we had worked so hard for so many years crumbling and going away.

Not to diminish the situation in any way, as it was a serious problem, I did not perceive it in the same manner as all of the “wide-eyed” youngsters in the room. Yes it was serious, but we were not out for the count by a long shot. My confidence was obtained from having previously weathered some far more serious storms that would make this one look like a “cake-walk”, including one situation that had occurred years before whereby employees had literally stolen the company blind and left us so far in debt it literally seemed impossible to survive. After all was said and done we survived that nightmarish experience and I knew that our current situation was not anywhere near as severe as it was. Yes it would be painful and we would have to work hard to overcome our temporary cash problems, but we would undoubtedly survive and we did.

The Bible teaches us to be happy when facing tribulations. God is working within our lives to accomplish His purpose when allowing us to face tribulation. It is just one tool that he uses to help shape and mold us. God’s purpose for it may not be revealed to us for years to come and in fact we may never know His purpose, but rest assured it is there and know that God loves us and it is for our gain. We face tribulation for a reason and we must have faith that it is ultimately for our benefit because God who cannot lie has promised that in His holy word the Bible.

Speaking of tribulation a friend of mine and employee of Horizon is undergoing difficult and dangerous surgery today. Please take a few minutes at your desk right now to pray for God to be with her every minute and for her full and speedy recovery.

James 1:2
My brethren count it all joy
When you fall into various trials,
Knowing that the testing of
your faith produces patience.