The Troubles of Life

A Chinese pharmaceutical company named Kunming was determined to make a childproof aspirin bottle. So it created one that had thirteen moving parts and took thirty-nine steps to open. For added safety, the company changed the design every six months. Many people bought the bottles, but not for the medicine. Instead parents were buying them for their children to play with as puzzles.

Challenges can be fun when we are looking for something to fill our time. They are enjoyable when we are able to overcome them. But they become a headache when they turn into something that seems unsolvable. Albert Einstein said that “In the midst of difficulties lies opportunity.”  As Christians, in the midst of difficulties lies the opportunity to turn to God and trust in Him.

Jesus says to his disciples and to us “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He acknowledges that difficulties and troubles that surround and invade our lives. Jesus doesn’t give us false reassurance that when you become a Christian, your troubles will go away. In fact, you will experience more troubles and difficulties because you choose to follow someone that the world had rejected and nailed to the cross. So if Christ had to suffer, we, as his disciples, are called to walk along the similar path.

But the dark realities of suffering, pain, and difficulties is met by another reality. The reality that Christ has “overcome the world.” This means that the problems and troubles that we face in this world have been solved by Christ through His death. The root of all our problems and difficulties have been dealt with by Christ. We no longer have to worry about it. It has been done for us through Jesus’ blood on the cross.

So it comes down to this, which reality do we choose to live in? The reality that dooms humankind to suffering and bondage to the sins, addictions, pain, and difficulties of life? Or the reality that Christ has won victory over sin and death and we are called to live with true freedom?

If you look at your life, you may see that the problems and burdens that you carry are too much for you to handle alone, and you’re right. You need God’s help. Ask God to walk with you through your troubles. His strength will comfort and support you. 

Questions for Thought:

1) What are some difficulties that are you facing in your life? How have you seek to solve these problems?

2) What makes it difficult for you to come and present these problems to God?

3) What are some ways that God is calling you to be a help or answer to someone's problems or need?