All over the earth, there is always someone suffering, praying for relief and peace. Oftentimes, we only see what is presented in front of us. What we see sinks into our minds and can sometimes work our way into our hearts. Right now, the earth is still going through troubled times.
Therefore, peace has been replaced by fear because the only thing the world can see through this tribulation is fear. Jesus, the Son of God, went through hell on earth to give us peace beyond this world. So, if Jesus did that for us and is still alive today in us, then we have no reason to fear. We have peace because Jesus is our peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Believing without Seeing
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you (Psalm 9:9-10).
In Matthew 8:1-4, Jesus is coming down from the mountain and many people have followed him. A man with leprosy came to ask Jesus “if He was willing to heal him.” Jesus said, “I Am willing, and be cleansed.”
Can you imagine Jesus saying to you, in front of your face, “I Am willing”? Peace and joy probably overcame this man, who had been suffering for however long he had the disease. God had a plan for this man.
Now, not everyone that goes through trouble will have the same result. This does not mean God is not willing to do a miracle in your life. In fact, Jesus did not do miracles and heal everyone (Matthew 13:57-58). So, if God is willing, then are you willing to let Him come take control of your life, even if you do not know what tomorrow will bring?
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).
Having Faith through Tribulations
Jesus often spoke in parables or stories. These parables were difficult to understand for the disciples and the people that followed Jesus. In John 16:21, the Bible states, “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.”
Previously, in John 16:16, Jesus spoke, “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” The disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying at all.
In fact, they would not understand until Jesus appears to them again after His death and resurrection (Luke 24:36-49). Throughout our lives, we will have circumstances that we will not understand at that moment. But later, God will reveal to us and have us understand what He was doing all along during our tribulations.
An example, in my life, is when I found out that my mother was diagnosed with stage two melanoma (skin cancer). This story goes back to 2017 when some of my family and I went on a cruise. We were all so excited and expectant. But my mother had a huge blister on her arm that looked sore. She was worried but was not aware of how bad the situation was.
After we came back, my mother went to the doctor and found out about her cancer. I was at work when I got the text. Fear rose up in me but, at the same time, peace overcame me. When my mother came home that day, she saw me and began to cry. I came to her, hugged her, and, as she cried on my shoulder, said, “It will all be okay.”
I honestly did not know for a fact that everything would be okay but, somehow, God gave me peace about it. So, through all this tribulation, my mother became closer to God and rededicated her life to Jesus. Oh, and yes, my mother, to do this day, is cancer-free.
Yes, we will have many troubles and tribulations while we are here, but Jesus said that “in Him we will have peace” (John 16:33). So, as we remain in Him, we will have our peace no matter what troubles that come our way (John 15:4).
What Does 'We Will Have Trouble in This World' Mean?
This peace will remain in our hearts even through troubled times, even when the world hates us. And the world will hate us because they hated Jesus first (John 15:18-25). So, continue to have faith and perseverance through your troubles. God is there with you and won’t leave your side.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:1-5, NKJV).
A Prayer For When We Have Trouble in This World
Father God, I pray for each and every one of you who reads this who gives their troubles to you. I pray for the people who are going through the tribulations that You will give them the peace and endurance that they need. But overall, I pray for Your will to be done in all of us according to Your plans for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Further Reading:
What Did Jesus Mean by ‘Let Not Your Hearts be Troubled’?
What Does the Bible Say about Hard Times?
Why Should We Not Be Conformed to This World?
What Are Trials and Tribulations? Bible Verses and Meaning Today
Does Jesus Calm Our Storms in Life?
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Rebecca Mashburn (Gordon) has a wonderful husband named Joseph. She has a blog, Trust. Lean, Seek and is working on becoming what God is calling her to. She has a bachelor's in psychology and hopes to one day pursue a degree in biblical counseling. Rebecca loves to be in nature, especially in springtime, and she loves to travel. She has a loving family and hopes one day to have children of her own.
