Passing Through Trouble - Eric Swanson

But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” Job 2:10 NLT

I knew serving overseas in Niger wasn't going to be easy. 

Niger has a different culture, food, and language. But the frustration increased when I was left alone. Initially, I was with a team, but the married couple returned to the States for the summer, leaving me alone. The problem intensified when I had to take care of a dog with an obnoxious bark. 

A storm of trouble came from both inside and outside of my four walls. Then the figurative became real when rains came and added a new layer of misery as the rainwater came up through the shower drain and flooded the house.

I wondered how much more I could take. Then, more dreaded news came: my dad had passed away in the States. 

Grieving is hard enough to do with friends in a familiar setting but more difficult when doing it alone. I could have easily fallen into the sin of despair, thinking no one cared. 

Fortunately, I was not alone. A friend connected me to a family from South Africa who helped me experience some much-needed fellowship and took the time to visit me during my mourning.

Job's wife told him to curse God and die. Later, friends told him he had sinned. But Job knew we must accept both good and trouble for it all comes from God. 

Through my trouble, I understood the sufficiency of God's love and grace, no matter the situation. Trouble can drive us toward the only immovable Rock that can help us weather life's storms.

Is trouble flooding you like water coming in through the shower drain? Are you trying to figure out how to deal with things independently? Ask God to help you realize others can help you see God’s sufficiency. 

Tweetable: Where do you turn when passing through trouble? 

 

Eric Swanson lives in Niamey, Niger, where he teaches English to refugees. He has visited a wide array of countries, such as China, Vietnam, Ireland, and Russia. When he is not teaching, he enjoys reading or writing books. His mother and sister live in the States. 

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Trials and Trust - Martin Wiles

Series: The Truth About Trials

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 NLT

On her grave marker were the following simple words: “For her to live was Christ, and to die was gain.”

Maria Dyer was born in 1837 on the mission field in China. Her parents were pioneer missionaries, both of whom died when she was a little girl. After their deaths, Maria was sent back to England for an uncle to raise. The horrible trial of losing her parents, however, didn’t deter Maria’s young heart from wanting to share the gospel. She knew how important doing so was. At age sixteen, she returned to China to work in a girl’s school as a missionary. Five years later, she married Hudson Taylor, a man well-known today for his life of ministry, faith, and sacrifice and for being the founder of the China Inland Mission.

Others—even Christians—often criticized Maria and her husband’s work. At one point Maria wrote, “As to the harsh judgings of the world, or the more painful misunderstandings of Christian brethren, I generally feel that the best plan is to go on with our work and leave God to vindicate our cause.”

Of Maria and Hudson’s nine children, only four survived to adulthood. Maria herself died of cholera at the age of forty-three. But she believed the cause merited the sacrifice.

The only way joy can come from our trials is for us to trust God in and through them. Otherwise, they will destroy us or lead us into the depths of depression and discouragement.

Wise King Solomon encouraged God followers to trust God with all of their heart, soul, and mind and not to lean on their own understanding. Further, we should acknowledge Him in all of our ways and let Him direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Developing trust takes experience, just as it does in a relationship. Trust of others is built over time, as it is with God. The difference being, that God will never break our trust as others often do.

Nor should the trials of life surprise us (1 Peter 4:12). Early believers faced them—many were even put to death. Jesus faced them—and was put to death. Living a righteous life and standing for moral values that represent God’s principles will bring persecution from others. Darkness doesn’t appreciate the light.

Don’t let the trials of life get you down. Expect them, and learn to trust God through them. He’ll never let you down.

Prayer: Father, we trust You to guide us through life’s trials and to bring us out stronger on the others side.

Tweetable: Are you trusting through your trials?

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