Day 25 – Being Transformed by trouble

Being Transformed by trouble

Yep you read the title correctly. Today’s topic is on being transformed by trouble. Whenever we find ourselves in a situation or very sticky circumstance, we need to remember that behind every problem we face God already has a purpose, and uses each of the circumstances to develop our character. We also need to bear in mind that life is a series of problems and we are not insulated from them – John 16 vs. 23 - In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name; and every problem we face are all significant growth process for us in God – 1 Pet. 4 vs. 12 - Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you; we should not be surprised as God uses them to draw us closer to Him – Psalm 34 vs. 18 – The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Lets be honest with ourselves, it’s during this period of suffering that we pray honest to God prayers.

Through out the bible, there are many people who found themselves in situations that God could have prevented from happening to them, to name a few Joseph when he was in prison (Gen. 39 vs. 20 -22) and Daniel when he was put in the lions den (Dan. 6 vs. 16 - 23), yet the Lord allowed it happen. Isn’t interesting that we will never know that God is all we need until He is all we have to get us out. That regardless of what we face God intends to use it for our good even if the enemy intended it for evil. That because every day of our life has already been planned by God nothing takes Him by surprise – Psalm 139 vs. 16 - your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be; Rom. 8 vs. 28-29;

We need to know that In our difficult times our hope should be based on the truth that God is in control of our lives and situation and He loves us; that His plan for our life involves all that happens to us, including our mistakes, our sins and our hurt; As He can bring Good out of the worst evil as His purpose is greater than our problems, pain or worst sin. That all that we go through is a process of being like His son Jesus.

Every problem is a character building opportunity and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for growth – Rom. 5 v. 3-4 - not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope, as our circumstance is temporary but our character will last forever – 1 Pet. 1 vs. 7 - These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed; only when we are refined by fire can people see Jesus’ reflection on us – James 1 vs. 3 - because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance; and since its God’s intention to make us like Jesus we will pass through the same experiences – Heb. 5 vs. 8-9; Rom. 8 vs. 17 - Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Therefore, we ought to respond to our problems the way Jesus did, not be embittered, and remember that God has our interest at heart – Jer. 29 vs.11; Gen. 50 vs. 20; Isaiah 38 vs. 17; Heb. 12 vs. 10; and to stay focused on God’s plan not our pain or problems like Jesus did – Heb. 12 vs. 2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God . We have been shown through the bible and through Jesus that the secret of endurance is to remember the pain is temporary and reward eternal – Heb. 11 vs. 26; 2 Corinth. 4 vs.17 - For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

To summarise - to give thanks in all our circumstance regardless of what we find ourselves in, yep its not easy, but because we know the situation is only temporary, we have hope – 1 Thess. 5 vs. 18 - give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus; to rejoice in the Lord for what He will turn out from our problems and pain – Philip. 4 vs. 4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice, Luke 6 vs. 23 - Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets; to rejoice because He is with us in the problems because He will never leave us alone. To try and be patient and persistent, refusing to give up – James 1 vs. 3-4; So if you are facing problems right now like I am, decide to stop asking pointless questions like why me, but what do you Lord want me to learn from these? Then trust God – Heb. 10 vs. 36 - You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.