Troubled but Not Distressed (2 Cor. 4:8-18)
Paul reminds us that even though we may think we are at the end of our rope, we are never without hope.
Paul faced all kinds of troubles, hardships and adversity for the sake of the Lord Jesus and His kingdom’s ministries.
Regardless of the risks, humiliations and trials we can see all of these as opportunities for Jesus to demonstrate His greater power, purpose and plan in and through us for His greater glory.
Illustration: Too many people fall in to the trap of feeling like they are a victim of their circumstances. John Leo, in the Dec. 8th, 2003 edition of US News and World Report writes: "Expert victimologists estimate that 91.2% of people in North America and Europe now qualify as victims, at least in their own minds. This is because hurt feelings keep spreading, and "society" keeps grinding us down. Some examples included:
Illustration: Two student groups wanted to sponsor a pig roast at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. Schoool authorities said no because the event might offend vegetarians.
Illustration: A high school student in Trento Italy, faced with the prospect of having to repeat her junior year because she failed math, hired a lawyer who argued that she was suffering from "irreversible psychological pathology," or math phobia. A regional court ruled that the condition made it impossible for her to study or master math and allowed the school to move her directly into the senior year.
Paul teaches us how not to be troubled on every side without giving in to distress through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few guidelines for overcoming trouble instead of allowing yourself to become a victim of your troubles:
1. REVERENCE - Praise God for the trouble He has allowed in your life as He knows what is best in every situation.
David wrote, "God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in the time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. Though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Thought the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river the streams thereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High." (Psa 46:1-4)Praise God and draw completely from the river of living water found in the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ the Son and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
2. REST - Praise God and realize that our God is sovereign who can do whatever He pleases. It is the right for a sovereign, omnipotent, and omnisient God to know how trouble will work for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. God is on the throne He does whatever He pleases. Job was able to say, "Though he slay me yet will I praise Him." Praising God helps us draw upon the goodness, love and all sufficient grace of Christ so that we are able to rejoice in our infirmities for when we are weak, then He is strong. The less we have the more we depend on Him for our strength, hope and will in our lives.
3. RELINQUISH YOUR RIGHTS - Paul wrote, "For we which live are always delivered to death for Jesus sake that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." (2 Cor. 4:11)
We need to release all our rights to comfort, pleasures and prideful self-justice. Even though Paul knew that humanly speaking, he did not deserve to be troubled for doing good, he followed the example of Jesus who though He was rich He became poor that we through His poverty might be rich. Paul wrote, "All who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer tribulation."
Be willing to give up your personal desires realizing that trouble, persecution and tribulation are a part of growing in Christ.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)
John MacArthur points out the definition of poor in His Kingdom Living book p. 44,45:
"The poor is from the Greek ptokas, a noun that means poor in this world’s goods; a beggar, desparately ashamed even to allow his idenityt to be known. It is not just poor, it is begging poor...He is absolutely incapable, totally dependent on grace.
"In spirit means with reference to the inner man not the body. That’s all. He’s begging on the inside, not necessarily on the outside.
"But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit and who trembles at My word (Isa 66:2) Psa 34:18 says The Lord is near to brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psa 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God. You will not despise."
"God identifies with people who beg on the inside, not people who are self-sufficient, not people who think they can work out their own salvation. Poor in spirit does not mean lazy or quiet or indifferent or lacking enthusiasm or passive. A poor in spirit individual is one with no sense of self-sufficiency."
Paul wrote, "We rejoice in our tribulations knowing that the tribulation works perseverance and perseverance proven character and proven character hope. And hope does not disappoint for the love of God is poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us." (Rom. 5;1-5)
Application: Let the Holy Spirit work a greater appreciation of God’s love for you as a result of taking through all the troubles of life.
4. RE-EXAMINE - See if there is any area where you need to grow in Christlike attitudes, outlooks or reactions to trouble. David wrote, "Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me. And lead me in the everlasting way." (Psa 139:23,24)
Application: There are times when we need to re-evaluate our motives, attitudes and actions so that we can humble ourselves under God’s hand to become more like the Master in everyway, in every situation and with everyone.
5. READJUST - The Holy Spirit gives us an amazing ability to readjust to all kinds of troubling situations. Paul wrote, "We are pressed but not crushed, perplexed by not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, put down but not put out... that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." Let us ask the Holy Spirit to work in us this overcoming attitude despite the severity of our hardships. Let us follow in the example of Paul who was a living example of one of his themes: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21)
Application: Ask the Lord to grant you the serenity to accept the things you cannot change, the courage to change the things you can and the wisdom to know the difference.
6. REPLACE TROUBLE WITH HIS TRIUMPHS - Let the troubles you are going through produce a greater fruit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love and purity. Paul wrote, "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Cor 4:18)
Application: Ask the Lord to give you encouragement that He is helping to enrich your perspective with more of an eternal than temporal outlook, perception and insight.
7. REFER TO TRUTH - When we are facing trouble it is essential that we meditate on scripture. The Bible gives us the power, purpose and prevailing grace to go through any trial successfully. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, He victoriously used the truth to overcome evil with the power of God’s word. Command evil to depart with the power of sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Take up the shield of faith so that you can quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Eph. 6:16-18)
Application: Be willing to speak the truth in love so that everyone around you can experience the growth in all aspects into Christ
8. REMEMBER JESUS CHRIST - Paul told Timothy, "Remember Jesus Christ." It is only when we forget Jesus and His promises that we allow trouble to make us bitter rather than better. Rejoice in Jesus Christ. Thank Jesus for all that He is as your strength and shield. Pray to Jesus as the one who is able to deliver you from any trouble.
Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) We should not think it strange that we are going through fiery trials, but know that they are working for us a far greater reward than gold. (2 Pet 1:6,7)
Illustration: Bill Gaither’s most famous song is a testimony of his own dealing with troubles:
"I’ve had many tears and sorrows. I’ve had questions for tomorrow. Yet, He always brought me through. For if I never had a problem. Never known a real struggle. I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Chorus: Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Through it all. Through it all. I’ve learned to depend upon His word.
9. RECONSIDER - Reconsider the fact that you are already an overwhelming conqueror through Him who loves you. People who allow troubles to get to them personally and cause distress, discouragement and defeat fail to appropriate the fact they are already conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves them. Paul wrote, "Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather is risen again who sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? We are considered as sheep for the slaughter. No, in all THESE THINGS wea re more than conquerors through Him that loved us." (Rom 8:34-37)
Let us appropriate the fact that we are more than conquerors by living victoriously with confidence, with assurance and with vibrance fitting for a conqueror.
Illustration: It is said that Helen of Troy, when captured, became distressed and dressed and acted like a mere servant girl. However, when she was reminded that she was a Queen, it changed everything. She simply had to reconsider her identity and it effected her attitude, actions and outlook. Too many Christians forget who they are in Christ and consequently live in defeat rather than in victory.
Application: Appropriate the promise, "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world." (I John 5:4,5)
Song: Am I a soldier of the cross. A follower of the lamb and shall I fear to own His cause, or blsuh to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease. Whlie others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain. Supported by your word.
Isaac Watts - Thomas Arne
Paul wrote, "Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
10. RELY ON GOD THROUGH PRAYER - Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God that passes all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent admirable and praise-worthy. Let your minds dwell on these things. (Phil. 4:6-8) Ask the Lord to deliver you from all your troubles. David wrote, "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psa 34:1-4)
Application: Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver you and you will honor me, says the Lord. (Psa 50:17)
Illustration in Song:
What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit. Oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry. Everything to God in prayer.
