Romans 5:3(NLT) states, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” This is one of those scriptures that stops us right in our tracks. We all know how heartbreaking and disappointing tribulations can be. They sometimes have us doubled over in emotional pain, with tears spewing from our faces like a river. We can’t believe that life has hit us so hard, yet the Father is telling us that we can rejoice while we’re experiencing these hiccups and upsets. How can that be? How can we flip the switch on heartache and pain, and actually rise up in the joy of the Lord?
The issues of life are very often shocking because they can hit us when we least expect it. The strain of these problems will tell the truth about our level of faith. Many of us are guilty of blaming God for the trials and tribulations we endure. We either think He’s punishing us for not doing something right, or we think that He has orchestrated a situation or condition to make us stronger or to teach us a lesson. When someone is dealing with severe illness, some will say that God has given them the illness to humble them. To think that God makes us sick or that He will cause harm to us is not the truth. When we understand and study His Word faithfully, we will rightly divide the Word and know the truth. 1Peter 2:24 declares that Jesus Christ bore our sins in His own body when he died on the cross. He did this so that we can be clothed and live in God’s righteousness, for by his wounds on the cross, we are healed. Sickness and disease belong to the kingdom of darkness. Jesus Christ heals our sickness so that we are made whole through his love and sacrifice. This is the truth!
1John 1:5(NLT) declares, “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” Our Heavenly Father is a God of love. Love is not only who He is, love is what He does. He does not cause darkness to come on us through sickness, lack, disease, or tribulations. He heals and delivers us from these things.
Our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and incredibly loving. He has no equal. Romans 5:3 tells us that we can rejoice during tribulation because our God is our Rescue. He’s our Provider and Protector, and when we call on Him in our times of trouble, He is faithful to hear us and to deliver us from all hurt, harm, and danger. This is why we can and should rejoice. When the Apostle Paul was experiencing a very troubling situation, God told him in 2Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” It’s in our weakest hour that God really pours it on, and we must have faith in Him.
It doesn’t matter how big or how small the detail, nothing in the entire universe happens without God knowing about it and without Him allowing it to occur. So, it is true that God allows tribulations and troubles to occur. They build strength of character in us and they teach us to increase our faith, but we must be clear, God doesn’t cause our tribulations and troubles. He helps us to get over them. If we have not believed totally in the goodness of God, and we have allowed the enemy to lead us down a path of thinking that God wanted us to be distressed, sad, and downtrodden, we must repent, because this is wrong believing and wrong thinking. We have been tricked in the same way that Adam and Eve were tricked, and we must reject a mindset and attitude that doesn’t honor God’s goodness, mercy, and grace in the way He deserves.
To repent and believe totally in the goodness of God is how we flip the switch in our emotions to continual joy. Instead of allowing our feelings and emotions to take our minds to negative thoughts about the Father, we must renew our minds and see God for who He really is. He deserves our praise and adoration, and we should honor Him because He is a loving God who cares deeply for His people. So instead of sinking when things go haywire, reprogram your mind to think on His goodness. Trust and believe in His ability and willingness to help you through any problem, issues, or situations that come your way. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Rejoicing through Tribulations and Troubles”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.