When things get tough!

I'm picking up with our examination of Romans 12 by focusing on the second exhortation delivered in the 12th verse.  Last time we considered Paul's encouragement to remain joy-filled as the result of our hope in Christ Jesus.  Today we find the Apostle telling us to be patient in affliction.  Essentially he is saying "don't get carried away when tough times come your way."  And tough times will certainly pass your way sometime during your life.  A pastor I worked with years ago told me, "Ken, if you haven't had any storms to come your way so far, you better hang on, because your time is coming."  He was correct!  Life is filled with difficult circumstances and difficult people.

As a minister as well as being a student of life . . . an observer of what goes on around me . . . I have seen many people respond to some of the harshest realities of life -- the death of a spouse, a child, or a parent.  The discovery that a son or daughter is addicted to illegal drugs.  The devastation of learning that a spouse has been unfaithful.  You find out much about a person by how they respond to adversity and sorrow.  Some people become so upset they literally cannot think straight or make reasonable decisions, while others face the same kinds of situations with a strength of character and the ability to minister to others even though their own hearts must be breaking.  Where does one find such strength?

I would immediately assure you that it is not based upon the personal power of the person, but is the result of the indwelling presence of God's Spirit in that person's life.  Every Christian, every true believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, has the Holy Spirit of God living in them.  This is the promise of God's Word in numerous passages - that God's indwelling presence is permanent for the true believer, and the power of the Holy Spirit is available to any believer to face and overcome every obstacle, every sorrow that might come our way.

Whenever the tough times arrive the Lord Jesus wants us to meet those challenges head on and come out victorious.  It doesn't mean that all the problems will go away (some never do), but we should never underestimate what God can do simply to bring glory and honor to himself.  What should you do when trouble comes:  pray for guidance, ask for the power to stand up the attacks on your body or spirit, look for ways to minister to someone else who is hurting.  One of the most therapeutic things we can do is to lay aside our own hurt so as to minister to someone else who needs a caring, loving friend.

Seek to draw closer to the Lord each day and try to look at life's challenges as opportunities rather than problems.  With a new heart comes a new attitude which can make all the difference in the world.