Taking The Trouble Out Of Trouble

TAKING THE TROUBLE OUT OF YOUR TROUBLES

How would you like to be in a place that is peaceful and quiet all the time, a place where there is no crime, a place where people do not bother each other, a place where people get along with each other all the time? Most of us would say that we wouldn’t mind being in a place like that. “Where is it?” we might ask. The answer comes back, “a cemetery”. That’s a crude way of saying that in this life you will have troubles. What are troubles? Troubles are misfortunes, mishaps, adversities, afflictions, difficulties, annoyances that come upon us in our lives. Troubles come in all sizes and in all shapes. There is not one here this morning that has not experienced trouble of some kind in life. It doesn’t matter who young your and it doesn’t matter how old you are. As soon as you come into this life you are destined for trouble. When a newborn infant is thrust from the warmth and safety of its mother’s womb into a strange and unfamiliar environment, he must say, “uh uh, I’m in trouble now”. No wonder we come into this life crying. All of us regardless of our ages experience trouble in the death of a loved one, a rejection from a friend, a loss of a job, a conflict in the home, a breakup of a marriage, a rebellion of a child, or a host of other misfortunes, mishaps, discouragements and dissatisfaction. Troubles come in all sizes and in all shapes. Jesus said that in this world we shall have tribulations. Troubles come with the territory. They are the unavoidable by-products of living. They are the given in any life situation. There is no such thing as a trouble-free life. They are part of the landscape in the terrain of life. They are the props on the stage of time. Job said that man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. We are born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. All of us face troubles on every hand. We come into a world of trouble and we cannot leave this world without experiencing troubles. The big question is how do we handle our troubles? Is it possible to experience troubles without being troubled by them? Is it possible to have troubles and not be worried, anxious, perplexed, agitated, and upset by them? Of course we know that some concern over troubles is natural and desirable. Jesus himself was troubled many times. But he never let his troubles overwhelm him. What we are talking about is an undue anxiety and worry over troubles. Is there a way to take the trouble out of our troubles? What concern or trouble are you experiencing in your life right now? Our passage in John 14:27 would indicate that it is possible to take the trouble out of troubles. Jesus in his last words to his disciples told them in verse 27 to not let their hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid. We think we have troubles. The disciples really were faced with some troubles. Jesus has just told them that he is going away from them. The loss of a beloved friend is trouble. You remember how sad you were when you had to say goodbye to a friend. You remember how sad you were when you were separated from a loved one by death. You remember the terrible time of grief and pain you experienced as a result of the separation. The disciples had every reason to be troubled by this trouble of separation from Jesus. Their beloved Jesus with whom they and walked and talked with for three years is about to leave them. They had seen the miracles He had performed. They had marveled at the wisdom and insight of his teaching. They had witnessed the compassion he showed for the sick, weak, poor, and afflicted. Now their beloved Jesus was leaving them. They really didn’t understand what it was all about. They didn’t understand why he would have to leave them now. They were troubled by his disclosure that one of them was to betray him. They were confused about the manner of his leaving. He had talked about his blood and his flesh. They didn’t understand what he was talking about. The whole thing didn’t make sense to them. He seemed to indicate that he was going to undergo a tragic and cruel death. They were uncertain about what would happen to them when Jesus left. Would the full wrath of the Jewish authorities fall on them now? What would happen to them now? Why was Jesus even talking about leaving? He was the Messiah. He was the one who was to bring in the kingdom of God here on earth. What was he talking about? The whole thing just didn’t make any sense. Would they have to go back to their fishing nets and other means of livelihood? The disciples are experiencing troubles at this time. But Jesus understood the trauma they were going through. Whatever trouble you may be in now, Jesus knows all about it. Jesus understood the trouble in the disciples’ spirits. He recognized the agony of their hearts. He empathized with the anguish going through their minds. In the midst of their confusion, consternation, he tells them, “I know you are bewildered and befuddled over what is happening. But don’t be trouble by it. I know you are agitated and anguished over what is happening. But don’t be troubled by it. I know you are jittery and jumpy over what is happening. But don’t be troubled by it.” In other words, Jesus was telling them to take the trouble out of their troubles. Don’t be worried over your troubles. Don’t be upset over your troubles. Don’t be anxious over your troubles. Jesus is saying the same thing to us today. We can take the trouble out of our troubles. It is possible to take the trouble out of your troubles. But how is it possible to take the trouble out of your troubles? How can it be done? How do we do it? First of all, be prepared for troubles. We must not let troubles take us unawares. We know that in this world we will have troubles. We must be prepared for them. You know troubles are bound to come. The better prepared we are for troubles the better able we are to handle them. Be prepared for troubles. Fortify yourself against them. Many people who have never thought of God for years suddenly cry out, “O Lord” when troubles strike them. Be prepared for troubles. Stay close to God who is your refuge in the time of trouble. Put on the armor of God. Be armed with the truth of God which is contained in His Son, Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life. You ought to make sure you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are a member of the family of God. Most of us have had troubles all of our lives. But some of us had parents we could go to in time of trouble. We knew that mother or father would be there in time of trouble. So some of us didn’t worry too much about troubles to come in our lives, because we knew mother and father would be there to come to our aid. When you are a part of the family of God, God will look after his own. Be armed with the gospel of peace. It is possible to have God’s peace, God’s sense of well-being in this life. No matter what may happen in our lives we know we have God’s peace available for us. When things are right between you and God we have his peace that passes all understanding. We also have faith and trust in God. We know that nothing can happen to us which is outside of the will of God. We have the faith to know that the eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Be prepared for troubles which will surely come. When troubles come your way, it is already too late to get ready for them. You have to be prepared for troubles ahead of time. Get as close to God as you can so you will know that no matter what happens, the Lord will make a way somehow. But at the same time, don’t be overly concerned about what may happen. I remember my mother telling me about a teacher she had whose favorite expression was “don’t trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.” Don’t worry or be anxious about tomorrow. Take one day at a time. Jesus said that sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Live for today. None of us knows what the future holds but God holds the future. I remember when I appeared before the Presbytery to be taken under care for the ministry over 30 years ago, I made that statement before the Presbytery. At 55 years of age, going back to school at my age, entering a change of careers, with a sick wife and an aged mother, and on shaky ground financially, I didn’t know what the future held for me. But at 33 years later I can say that God lead me all the way and that I came this far by faith leaning on the Lord. And I know he didn’t bring me this far to leave me. Be prepared for troubles. But in the second place, be prayerful about troubles. Prayer if the greatest resource we have when troubles beset us. Phil 4:6, 7 tell us to be anxious for nothing. But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our requests be made to God. When in troubles, pray about them. Jesus Christ wants us to tell him about our troubles. He knows about them already, but he wants us to tell him about them. Whether the troubles are of our own making or whether the troubles were beyond our control, God wants to hear us tell Him about them. He knows about them already, but as an act of faith in belonging to his family we confess our needs to him. The old hymn exhorts us to take everything to the Lord if prayer. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. O what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations, is there trouble anywhere. We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer. Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care. Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee, take it to the Lord in prayer, in his arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there. In prayer we are invited to cast our cares or our troubles on God. We are invited to take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Taking our troubles to God helps take the troubles and the bother out of them. We can’t bear all of these troubles and burdens ourselves. They are too heavy for us to bear. Sometimes we are like that mythical character, Atlas who held the world in arms. We are not strong enough to bear these burdens. But God is big, bad, and strong enough to bear them in the palm of his hands. Cast your burdens upon the Lord. Many times we pray about a problem or a trouble. We call ourselves casting it on the Lord, but when we come up from prayer we are still troubled by our troubles. I have experienced that many times myself. But God means it when he says cast your cares upon me. He will bear them for us. I think we need some significant symbol or gesture as we cast our cares on the Lord. The next time you are worried or concerned or troubled by a trouble, write that worry, or concern, or trouble on a sheet of paper. Then take that sheet with the trouble written on it and prayerfully give those troubles to God. Cast those cares on him. After praying, crumble the sheet and cast it into a waste basket as a symbol that those cares are cast on God, the one who cares for us. I like that old hymn called leave it there. If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold, and you have to get along with meager fare. Just remember in His word, how he feeds the little bird, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. Leave it there, leave it there, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. If you trust and never doubt, he will surely bring you out. Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. It is possible to take the trouble out of your troubles. Be prepared for troubles. Be prayerful about troubles. Finally, be peaceful in them. Before Jesus told the disciples not to let their hearts be troubled he said to them, “My peace I leave with you, not as the world gives do I give to you. The world doesn’t have the peace that God gives. The disciples were not to be troubled by their troubles because they had received the peace of God. God has promised us peace in the midst of our troubles. Jesus has promised us a peace that the world cannot give or take away. Jesus can take the trouble out of our troubles and supplant it with his peace, his perfect peace which Paul says passes all understanding. Jesus promised his disciples peace. They were distressed and disturbed. But Jesus says that things are not as bad as they look. Look at the resources I have left you. I’m going away but I am sending you my Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who will come alongside of you to teach you all things. I taught you for three years but the Holy Spirit will teach you forever. I am going away, but I am giving you my power so that you shall be able to do even greater things than I have done. So let not your hearts be troubled. Think about what I will do for you and be peaceful. My peace I give to you. When we think of what God has done for us we can rejoice and thank him for them, rejoicing and thanking God for his blessings give peace. Jesus not only gave peace to his disciples. He speaks peace to us. He may not take you out of your troubles. Be he can take the trouble out of your troubles and supplant it with peace in the midst of the storm. One night Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a boat. Suddenly as often happens on that sea, a mighty wind arose and the waves beat upon that boat until it appeared about to sink. The disciples rushed to where Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat and woke him crying, “Master, don’t you care that we are perishing? We are about to sink in the midst of the storm.” Jesus awoke, rebuked the winds and the waves and said, “Peace, be still”. And immediately the wind ceased and the waves subsided and a great calm fell over the seat. And Jesus said to them, “Why were you afraid? Where is your faith?” And they were filled with awe and said to one another, “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him?” You may be crossing your own sea of trouble at this time. The winds of adversity may be blowing strongly in your face. The waves of turmoil may be about to sink the ship of your life. You are wondering who can take the trouble out of your troubles. The disciples asked who is this that even the wind and sea obey him. But Jesus is the one who can take the trouble out of your troubles. He is still the one. He’s the one who commands the wind. He’s the one who stills the sea, He’s the one who calms the waves. He’s the one who rules the tempest. He is the same Jesus now that he was way back then. Jesus asked the disciples why they were fearful. He asked them where is your faith. Jesus says the same thing to us. Don’t be fearful. Where is your faith? I am with you. Where is your faith? The winds and waves still obey my will. Where is your faith? I am still the master of ocean, earth, and skies. Where is your faith? Peace be still. Where is your faith? I am with you. Where is your faith? Be not troubled. Where is your faith? I won’t forsake you. Where is your faith? Don’t be dismayed. Where is your faith? I’m in the boat with you. Where is your faith? I won’t leave you. Where is your faith? I will help you. Where is your faith? I will strengthen you. Where is your faith? I won’t let you fall. Where is your faith? Trust me. Where is your faith? Everything will be alright. Where is your faith? Hold on a little while longer. Where is your faith? I am not a trouble maker. I’m a trouble breaker. I can take the trouble out of your troubles.