By Dr. DAN ERICKSON
What do you do when trouble seems to be all around? Do you blame others? Do you hide under the blanket hoping it’s a dream that will surely go away when you wake up? Or maybe you just blame the devil for all that is going wrong.
There are three overarching principles about trouble that we all need to understand:
1. God allows trouble, difficulties and adversities in our lives according to our need.
2. Nothing comes in our lives that does not first come through the hand of almighty God.
3. How you view your troubles or circumstances determines how you will respond to them.
How you see – meaning your vision – is the key to becoming a victim or a victor. If you see your trouble through the lenses of your current situation or circumstance, then you will be driven by fear and live as a victim and captive. If you see your trouble through the lens of God, then you will be driven by faith and live as a victor and a conqueror.
God’s word declares: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The Scriptures also tell us that in Christ we are more than conquerors. As if this weren’t enough, Paul cries out: “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think, according to the power that is already at work in us, to him be the glory” (Ephesians 3:20).
This is the secret of life. God is more concerned about what he is doing in us than with or through us.
When trouble is overwhelming you, whether it is caused by our own choices or brought upon us by others or life’s situations, remember: “Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the trouble, circumstance or situation.” Then switch lenses and view life through the lens of God and imagine the possibilities!
