Here is an expansion of the four benefits that can be derived from trouble in our lives, as mentioned in my previous post “Do not waste your troubles.” Choosing to embrace these “opportunities” brings redemption to every trial we may have to face.
It’s obvious to anyone who fogs a mirror that trouble is an unavoidable part of life. As conscientious as we are at trying to live a trouble-free life, Murphy’s Law sometimes does catch up with us and bad news does knock at our door. And all of us know that it is what we do with trouble when it comes our way that makes us victors or victims, champs or chumps.
I shared in my last post “Dr. Death or Dr. Hope – it’s a choice!” about how a recent health crisis has given me a fresh perspective on life. The Bible and past experience instruct us that trials such as this are opportunities to learn God’s ways and more perfectly align our wills with His will for our lives. God has certainly used this lump in my neck to do that. In realizing how frail and fleeting life really is, here are some resolutions I have made.
When I walked out of a surgeon’s office a little over a month ago I was in a state of shock. Five days earlier I had discovered a mysterious lump about the size of a grape on the right side of my neck. “Lord,” I thought, “I can’t believe what I just heard. Is that you? Is your voice, the voice of my Good Shepherd somewhere to be found in all this? Is it my time? Is this that dreaded news that sets in motion the inevitable chain of events that leads to the close of life this side of glory?” Despite prayer, standing on the promises of scripture and constant confessions of faith I must admit that it was a major spiritual battle for me. However, the wrestlings of soul over the brevity of life provided a needed spiritual awakening that has brought me to some renewed affirmations regarding my faith relationship with Jesus Christ.
