Given August 24, 2013
There’s no question about it, “In this world you will have trouble,” (says Jesus), but be encouraged by His next words, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” And, “I 
am with you always,” and, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Do you get the concept here? IF you have committed to follow Jesus, He will be with you in the good times and the bad. So why doesn’t He just keep us from having any trouble? Sometimes you have to go through stuff to get to the reward down the road.
You don’t get an education without going through school. You don’t get in physical shape without exercising and eating right. You don’t get spiritually strong without going through some testing. You can’t be promoted in the Kingdom without being proved.
Look at Joseph, (beginning in Genesis 37), he had trouble with his brothers, his boss’s wife, and in prison; he went through some stuff, but God was with him and he fulfilled his purpose in the end. Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son, (see Genesis 22), as a test to see if he would really do what God said. God had a great plan for Abraham and his descendants but he had to go through this test first.
Then there’s Jesus. What he had to go through to complete God’s plan. We can’t imagine how hard it was but he was doing it for us. And like us, Jesus asked God if there was any other way but then he said, “yet, not my will but yours be done.”, (Luke 22:42). Jesus went through some stuff to get the reward…FOR US!
If you’re going through something right now or are facing something, realize this: 1) God will be with you in it. 2) You can learn and be stronger through the thing. 3) You can help people along the way and when you come through it. It may not seem fair, it may not be your fault, or it may be a mistake you made and you may have to suffer but “suffer successfully” and come out victorious. Get into your Bible, pray daily, seek good spiritual counsel, and seek out ways to help others.
