“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)

Reacting Positively to Troubles

Someone once said that life isn't a bed of roses. But I believe it actually is—because roses come with thorns; life has beauty, but it also brings challenges and difficulties. To succeed in life, you must learn to deal with both the positive and negative vicissitudes, otherwise known as the ups and downs.

Troubles are inevitable

The verse at the top of the page begins with “when” you face troubles—not if, but when. This means that difficulties are inevitable. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.” But how you respond is what truly matters. You may not be able to control when bad things happen, but you can always control your response. That choice is entirely yours.

An opportunity for great joy

James tells us to consider our troubles “an opportunity for great joy.” Unfortunately, most people don’t see their difficulties that way. Instead, they often react with frustration or despair. However, many successful people understand that solving problems is a key part of growth and achievement.

Problems, causes, and solutions

Problem-solving involves defining the problem, identifying its causes, exploring and prioritizing possible solutions, and then implementing a plan. Wise individuals face their problems head-on and work actively to find positive outcomes. In doing so, they learn, grow, improve, and make progress. After Jesus said that you will have troubles in this world, He said to “take heart” because He has “overcome the world.” And we, too, must respond positively to troubles when they appear and overcome them.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

See things from God’s perspective 

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18 NIV)

Therefore

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15)

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:103 ESV) 

“Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” (Psalm 119:143 ESV)

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)

Quotes

“We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.” - George Washington

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” - Charles R. Swindoll

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isa. 43:18-19)

God does a new thing

Writer and philosopher, George Santayana, said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." That’s true. It is good to learn from the past. But it is not good to dwell on it and get stuck there. God brings new beginnings, both for the present and for the future. As the passage at top says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”

When joined to Christ the old is gone, the new has come

“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 GNTD)

God gives strength needed for the present and for the future

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13 NIV)

Ask for a new and loyal spirit

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10 GNT)

Therefore

“So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Heb. 12:1-2 GNT)

Quote

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” - Oswald Chambers

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Tim 3:1-5 ESV)

In the passage above, Jesus explained what the world would be like shortly before His return, and it’s undeniably happening exactly as He said!

The Bible lists many other last-days-signs, too. How many of them do you see?

More last-day signs

• Scoffers will follow sinful desires

“Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:3-7 ESV)

• Lawlessness will be increased 

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt. 24:12 ESV)

• Like the days of Noah

“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:37 ESV)

• People will not endure sound teaching

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 ESV)

• False prophets will lead many astray

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” (Matt. 24:11 ESV)

• Some will depart from the faith

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” (1 Tim. 4:1 ESV) 

• The gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14 ESV)

Yes, Jesus return is imminent!

When you look at what’s going on in the world and compare it with the last-day signs mentioned throughout the Bible, you can see that we’re getting very close to Christ’s return.

Therefore

Even though only God knows when that exact day and hour will be, we must indeed be ready and anticipate His return.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matt. 24:36 ESV)

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

“So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” (Matt. 24:33 ESV)

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44 ESV)

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30 ESV)

Quotes

“What the situation will be like in the world before the Lord returns, namely, Christ will be despised, and the preachers of the Gospel will be regarded as fools.” – Martin Luther

“Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.” – C.S. Lewis

“And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.” (Acts 3:5 ESV)

Living with expectation is a key aspect of the Christian life, marked by a hopeful anticipation of God's promises and His divine plan. This idea is deeply rooted in the Bible and is evident in the lives of biblical figures who demonstrated faith and trust in God's timing.

A future hope

The Bible encourages believers to maintain a sense of expectation as they look forward to God's promises being fulfilled. In the Old Testament, prophets spoke of a future hope, particularly the coming of the Messiah. For example, Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This verse emphasizes the strength and perseverance gained from living with expectation.

Jesus is coming soon

In the New Testament, the theme of expectation is linked to the return of Jesus Christ. Believers are urged to anticipate His second coming. In Titus 2:13, Paul writes about "waiting for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This expectation influences the Christian life, encouraging believers to live in holiness and readiness.

What are you expecting from the Lord?

• Expect rewards from the Lord

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 ESV)

“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” (Prov. 11:18 ESV)

• Expect a future and a hope from the Lord 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

• Expect goodness, protection and blessing from the Lord

“...How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world...”
(Psalm 31:19, NLT)

• Expect an inheritance from the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24 ESV) 

• Expect to receive crowns from the Lord

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 ESV)

Therefore

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” (Psalm 62:5 ESV)

Quote

“Positive expectations are the mark of the superior personality.” - Brian Tracy

“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.” (Prov. 28:12 ESV)

I love the quote from R.A. Torrey, “The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” This is so true! The following passage is a promise that says that God always leads us in triumph in Christ!

God always leads us in triumph in Christ

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (2 Cor. 2:14 NASV)

In triumph he disarms rulers and authorities

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Col. 2:15 ESV)

Therefore

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 ESV)

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13 NIV)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isa. 43:18-19)

Writer and philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That’s true. It is good to learn from the past. However, dwelling on the past and becoming stuck there is not beneficial. As the passage at the top says, God brings new beginnings, both for the present and for the future.

When joined to Christ the old is gone, the new has come

“Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 GNTD)

God gives strength needed for the present and for the future

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13 NIV)

Ask for a new and loyal spirit

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” (Psalm 51:10 GNT)

Therefore

“So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Heb. 12:1-2 GNT)

Quote

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” - Oswald Chambers

“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.” (Nehem. 9:16 ESV)

The word “stubborn” is defined in the dictionary as “refusing to change one’s mind or course of action despite pressure to do so; unyielding or resolute.” Depending on its use, it can convey either a positive or negative characteristic. Understanding the distinction is crucial.

Are you acting mulish or being resolute?

“Stubborn” has two meanings, one negative (mulish) and one positive (resolute). You can be mulish (stiff-necked) against God, or you can be resolute (unbending, resolute) concerning truth and righteousness.

1) MULISH: unreasonably or perversely unyielding as in bullheaded, obstinate, self-willed or stiff-necked.

2) RESOLUTE: justifiably unyielding, unwavering, tenacious, unbending, steadfast, not giving up, remain uncompromising in course or purpose.

Examples of MULISH

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” (Prov. 29:1 ESV)

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Psalms 81:11-12 ESV)

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51 ESV)

“But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 7:11-12 ESV)

Examples of RESOLUTE

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” (Acts 11:23 NASB)

“Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18 CEV)

Therefore

“Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!” (Psalm 51:10 NET)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58

Quotes

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. - Oswald Chambers

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 195:4 NIV)

What it means to seek God’s face

Many times in Scripture, God’s people are encouraged to seek the face of God. The Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated “presence.” Therefore, when you seek the face of God, you are seeking His presence.

God said to seek His face

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” (Psalm 27:8 ESV)

Humble yourself and seek God’s face

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14)

Therefore

“Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” (Psalm 105:2-4) 

“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:3-6)”

 Quote

“I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion... I want all that God has or I don't want any.”  - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Col. 3:15 NIV)

Peace in decision-making

Over the years, Susan and I have faced numerous significant decisions, including the purchase of a specific home, the decision to homeschool our children, and the acceptance of certain job opportunities. Sometimes decisions were easy to make when everything was perfectly clear. But other times they were not, and we occasionally got it wrong. In retrospect, and of course hindsight is 20/20, we realized that we had not “let the peace of Christ rule” before making the decision. If we had, we probably would have made different decisions. However, it's crucial to avoid letting fear interfere and refrain from proceeding with a crucial decision just because you're afraid. In reality, most big decisions are scary, yet God can still provide deep inner peace in the midst of it. Knowing the difference and not allowing yourself to be unjustifiably troubled or afraid is crucial. If you lack wisdom, ask God for it! (James 1:5)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

If you make having the peace of God the gage you use for making big decisions, things will generally turn out better for you.

To have God’s peace in decision making… 

·      Pray about the decision and don’t be anxious - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV) 

·      Keep your mind stayed on Jesus when making the decision - “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isa. 26:3 ESV)

·      Ask God for peace when you need to make a decision - “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” (2 Thess. 3:16 ESV)

·      Strive for peace while making a decision - “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 ESV) 

·      If the decision contains any element of evil, don’t - “Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11 ES)

·      If your decision is against God’s Word, don’t - Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 118:165 ESV)

Therefore

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33 ESV) 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:18 ESV)

Quote

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” - Saint Francis de Sales