Are you in trouble?

We find, don’t we, that we run into trouble in life. Some of it is our own fault and some of it isn’t. We need to develop the wisdom and the character to be able to deal with our problems, and this begins with doing what the Lord requires of us.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1: 7

The start of wisdom is the fear of the Lord or, put in simpler terms, the understanding that he can do and does do what he says he will do. Therefore, when we become convinced that there is a God and agree to do what he prescribes in his word, and not to do what he proscribes, we begin to walk in wisdom, and the bible tells us that this is when we begin to live.

“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” Proverbs 2: 10,11

So you have a problem with someone, what do you do? Well, essentially, you need to call on God in your trouble. What can he do for you? The answer might seem a little counter intuitive to start with. What he can actually do for you is to discipline you. Why does this help? Because it means that it becomes less of a problem for you to deal with your problems because you get better at dealing with them. You become more disciplined.

Whatever the reason for your suffering God can help you to overcome it, but it will probably involve more of a journey than an instant fix. Some previous posts have impressed the necessity of persevering in your problems, and as you do this you build up character. It is this character and the wisdom that God freely gives that will sustain you through your problems.

That said, don’t underestimate the power of prayer. Send one up to the Almighty and see what happens. Put your hope in God, who loves you, and you will find later on, after you have travelled some way, that you are much further down the road than you ever thought you could get. You will look for your enemies but you will not find them. The chances are that they will be in exactly the same place that you left them (in the pub?) and you will be in a new place, a better place.

Even if you’re suffering because you’ve done something wrong, if you’re suffering on God’s timetable you will end up in this new place if you walk in his ways, but it’s not just because of your mistakes that you’re suffering and God knows this. He knows all things.

There is a way out. You don’t have to stay where you are. Even if you think you don’t have enough in yourself, if you dedicate it to God you will find that it is more than enough. You won’t be able to contain the gift he has for you. And you’ll get to help other people who have problems like you once had which, if nothing else, will help you build more character!

Everyone’s a winner. Except those still down the pub.