Amidst All Our Troubles

FRESH Official Podcast

So, if today you were to write down all the things in your life that you’d rather weren’t there, that you’d wish you could instantly wipe away, what would that list look like?

We all have at least a few items on our list, right? Perhaps it’s just a few little niggling things, or maybe there are one or two really big items that are completely ruining your life.

Whatever that looks like for you, those things have a habit of draining you of your peace, your joy, your sense of wonder and anticipation, your zest for living life. And so, with Christmas just days away, it leaves you kind of thinking how can I possibly celebrate that?

Yesterday we saw the Apostle Paul rejoicing with his friends in Rome over all the amazing things that their faith in Jesus conferred upon them. Peace. Grace. Blessing. Joy. Hope. Glory. Fantastic! Yet in the very next breath, he writes this:

Romans 5:3-5 … we are also happy with the troubles we have. Why are we happy with troubles? Because we know that these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope. And this hope will never disappoint us. We know this because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts through the Holy Spirit he gave us.

Friend, know this … Jesus is with you through your troubles, in the midst of them and, in many respects, because of them. How can you know that? Because He’s poured out His love to fill your heart through the Holy Spirit whom He's given you. Hold onto that truth. Because ...

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.