How To Handle Trouble

 How To Handle Trouble


There is probably not a more basic, day-in-and-day-out question for all of us fallen sinners, than, "How do I handle trouble?"  This little paper will seek to address this very practical concern. . . . But first, a little history.  When God created the world, there was *no* trouble whatsoever.  Even after He created Adam and Eve, there was still no trouble.  It was only after their (our) Fall in the Garden of Eden, that trouble became an inevitable part of their (and our) existence on this side of eternity.

 

Let us first "categorize" these "troubles."  Here is a thumbnail list: tribulation, distress, affliction, persecution, trial, and testing.  How do you like that catalog?  If you say, "I am OK with it," you are probably prevaricating.  The fact is, we should be honest; and admit that we *hate* those things.  If we did not hate them, they would not be problems for us.  We never really "get used" to them; and we never grow to "like" them.

 

But, then we immediately recognize that there is a difference between hating the circumstances of all these negative things; and loving the consequents of them.  In other words, yes, it is true: we cannot stand these things (in themselves); but nevertheless we love the results of them, IF they bring us into a state of more Christlikeness.  This is the apostolic point, made in Rom. 8:18 and Jas. 1:2-3, for instance.

 

One of the real key issues, in handling inevitable trouble in this world, is that we remain steadfast in our faith in and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.  When this is the case, we will suffer, that is a given; but we will not suffer as "evildoers," but as those who do good, as per 1 Pet. 2:12 and 4:12-17.  As we suffer, even wrongly, we may have perfectly clear and clean consciences within ourselves and in the sight of our good and gracious Heavenly Father.

 

Ironically, the true saints of the church, i.e. those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, or born again into a living hope in Jesus Christ, are the ones who actually experience *more* trouble, if I may say so, than those who are not found in Jesus Christ, and who remain in their sins.  Yes, it is true, that *all* sinners experience trouble in this world--but the sufferings of God's people are more severe (here), than that of the unconverted.  But, on the Day of Judgment, or on the day of one's death, that situation all changes.  Now, the damned experience unremitted trouble for all time; while the redeemed experience no trouble ever again.

 

Because of our sin in Adam and as we are sons and daughters of Adam, even the Son of God Himself had to undergo trouble; and His was infinitely worse than anything we experience.  He had to take the righteous wrath of His Holy Father upon Himself, for us, unworthy sinners that we are.  But, our glorious Savior did this willingly for us--because He, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, had, even before the creation of the world, chosen a people to constitute the Triune God's redeemed and atoned-for community, His holy church, made up of elect Jews and Gentiles.

 

It is true, we do not like trouble, hardships, suffering, and all of those other things listed above.  But, have we ever considered, that we suffer a whole lot less than we deserve?  In truth, our sin merits nothing but unending suffering and pain; but our gracious Father makes it a whole lot "easier" on us than we "deserve."  After all: we "deserve" what Jesus endured for us.  We do not "deserve" anything good from God--and yet, still, even in this fallen world, the Lord gives good things to His own (still sinful) children, and to those who will never love Him, (even as per Matt. 5:45).

 

Are troubles our lot on this fallen sod?  Yes.  Therefore, let us make the best of them.  If they drive us to Christ and His gospel of grace, then these nuisances become our best friends.

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #131

31 August 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

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