John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I have never seen that verse stuck to a refrigerator, nor anywhere else for that matter. It should be though! It should bring great consolation to us.
Tribulation means a problem. We are all either having problems, just ending a problem, or about to go through one. This verse simply states that. It also says, Jesus already has it handled. Oh how I love that! Oh How I love Jesus!
Make sure your problem is because of you following Jesus too closely. Not because of your own errors.
This is what I have learned in tough times (tribulations) as a soldier, businessman, and missionary. Nothing close to what a true martyr goes through, but still valuable lessons.
- Keep moving
- Take advice from others with a grain of salt
- Listen to God more than man
- Trust God more than man
- Keep doing what God has shown you to do
- One day, one hour, one second at a time
- Don’t quit for even one moment
- Ask for prayer from fellow believers
- Don’t question God’s lead
- Platitudes & ‘Christianisms’ are infuriating
- Don’t get bitter get better.
- Difference between bitter and better is I
- Blackest part of night is just before dawn
- Don’t waiver or slow down. Attack the devil’s legions with Jesus’ lovefor others through good works etc. Hit the forces of evil as hard are you can, as often as you can, as long as you can.
- When you are completely whooped and can’t go on, remember the old 40/60 rule we learned in the Army. When we were a quivering sack of worn out muscle tissue and raw nerves due to exhaustion, we knew we had only used 40% of our strength. We had 60% more to give. You are no where near done when you feel like you can’t even lift a finger. How much more is that true when you have the Holy Spirit’s power and comfort within you?
What you gain in the dark days:
- You know who your real friends are
- You learn to pray and confide in God more
- You learn to tune out noisy people
- You will grow in faith
- You will love more
- You will have more grace
- You will learn to really minister to others
- You will have a praise report
- You will be better prepared the next time.
- You will know who you can count on.
- You will learn about which people to avoid.
- You will be a better leader
- You will be a better ambassador of Jesus
So, the lists are done. Conclusion, it is much better to pass through trials and tribulations than to avoid them. Jesus has your back! The sign of a real believer is that even when he’s having problems, he will still stop and help others, even if it is extremely inconvenient. Driving someone in a car, sending and email or picking up a phone is not inconvenient by any stretch of theimagination.
Usually as you really serve the Lord you will suffer, that’s what the Bible says. Sometimes you can catch some slack, but usually not. Brothers, don’t be bummed but rejoice! The darker it gets means the end of suffering is near. TheSon is going to shine through the black night.
Psalms 30:5 weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Dean