EMBRACING TROUBLE

November 03, 2022

All of us face moments that trouble our soul. Something is before us—a task, a tragedy, a hardship, a loss, a calling—and it overwhelms us. We love the path of least resistance and greatest comfort. No one welcomes hardship.

There’s nothing wrong with a “troubled soul” for Jesus had one. “Now my soul has become troubled,” He said to His disciples as He faced the final days of His life on earth and the impending cross (John 12:27). But an unsettled heart needs resolution and there is only one remedy.

ACCEPTING THE CIRCUMSTANCE

Jesus knew that running was not an option. He could not deny what was before Him for it was His destiny. He had to accept the cup of suffering, as painful as it may be.

“And what shall I say, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” (John 12:27)

Under the excruciating pressure that troubled His soul, Jesus would later ask the Father to remove the task assigned. But He did it with the critical caveat. “Not My will, but Thine be done,” was His Gethsemane prayer.

UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE

Jesus knew something about His Father that we miss. God is always purposeful, and His will is always “good, acceptable, and perfect (complete, lacking in nothing)” (Romans 12:2). Nowhere are we promised a trouble-free life, but everywhere we are promised a purpose-filled existence.

The brother of Jesus would later remind us that we can even rejoice in our trials because we know something … that such trials have a purpose (James 1). And that purpose is extraordinary. God does not waste trouble. He promises sufficient grace and life-giving purpose. The trouble we embrace means something and does something for God, for others, and for us.

EMBRACING THE HOUR

“But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name” (John 12:28).

Jesus knew it was time. It was “this hour” so He prayed the great prayer, the ultimate prayer that God would be magnified, seen, and glorified through the trouble. Only eternity records the results of His gracious surrender. Millions have been cleansed entirely from the guilt of their sin, opening the door to the glory of a perfect, eternal existence in heaven.

The One who made us all was pleased, the purposes of God were accomplished, and Christ will forever be praised for His glorious submission.

If you are “troubled in spirit” fix your eyes on Christ. Remember that all trouble is temporary. The author and perfecter of our faith saw the “joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling both your troubled heart and a surrendered will. Give me the grace to see every trouble in my life through Your eyes. Remind me of its purpose and its temporary existence. And give me the grace to hear Your “Well done” at the end.

 

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