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Why God Allows Troubles in Your Life 

Is there a purpose to all this?

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • August 18, In the year of our Lord, 2013

 

Prelude: 

  1. Someone got the idea that Christians should never have problems. 
    1. That idea did not come from the Bible.
    2. The Bible promises that we shall have problems.

      33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16.33).

      22 …strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14.22).

      1. It does reveal why we have problems generally, and
      2. why we have some problems specifically.
  2. The psalmist recognized the value of challenges,

    71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
    That I may learn Your statutes.
    72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
    Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
    (Psa 119.71–72)

    1. The psalmist valued the Law of God
    2. more than personal comfort.
  3. Problems are stones. 
    1. Depending upon how we use them, they are either:
      1. Steppingstones
      2. Stumbling–stones
    2. We see problems as hindrances, frustrations, unexpected…
      1. Therefore, we become resentful.
      2. However, they are building stones.
        1. Learn to see how problems can make you a better person, remembering
        2. that smooth seas never made a skillful sailor.

Persuasion: 

  1. Troubles Cleanse Us

    30 Blows that hurt cleanse away evil,
    As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
    (Pro 20.30)

    1. What does it take to get us up and do the Lord’s will?
    2. Problems awaken us and move us in the direction we ought to go.
    3. What does God have to do to get our attention? – 2Ch 36
    4. Problems force us to drop those things that hurt us.
      1. Heb 12.1
      2. Luke 14 renounce everything
  2. Troubles Test Us

    2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (Jam 1.2–3).

    1. Anyone can be righteous and faithful when not under stress.
    2. Problems show what we are when we get in hot water:
      1. Are we eggs that harden?
      2. Are we carrots that soften?
      3. Are we tea bags that permeate? – Salt and Light
  3. Troubles Develop Experience

    67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    But now I keep Your word.
    (Psa 119.67)

    1. When all other forms of learning fail, experience often does the job.
      1. We challenge warnings.
      2. We obey experiences.
    2. We appreciate somethings after we have lost them.
  4. Troubles Hide Blessings

    20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen 50.20).

    1. Blessings camouflage themselves among problems.
    2. The camouflage can be so great that it takes a long time to see the blessings.
      1. It was at least 22 years before Joseph saw it.
      2. Perhaps it was much more, not until after his father died 17 years later.
  5. Troubles Develop Character

    3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope (Rom 5.3–4).

    1. Show me a person with character who has never had problems.
      1. We seek our comfort.
      2. God seeks our character.
        1. The two often do not go together.
        2. What do you take to heaven?
          1. What we are.
          2. Who we are.

Exhortation: 

  1. A trouble-free life is on the way, but 
    1. the Bible never says that it will be here,
    2. rather that is what heaven is.
  2. We want Utopia now, but 
    1. it does not exist here.
    2. Whoever came up with that word
      1. told us that it does not exist in the world.
      2. Utopia is a compound Greek word.
        1. “U” comes from ou, which means “no,” or “not.”
        2. “Topia” comes from topos, which means, “place.”
          1. Utopia is no place.
          2. It does not exist,
            1. although we exert all our energy, money, and time
            2. to find it on Earth, but
              1. the Bible tells us paradise exists
              2. only in heaven, and
                1. heaven is only for those who let their troubles
                2. make them better people.
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