You Can't Avoid It

You Can't Avoid It

John 16:33 (YLT)

33 these things I have spoken to you, that in me ye may have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation, but take courage—I have overcome the world.’

Luke 6:22–23 (KJV 1900)

22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Introduction

One thing is for sure, we can all say trouble can be the great equalizer.

Matthew 5:45 (ESV)

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

"Trouble is the great equalizer of humanity. It doesn't care if you're rich or poor, tall or short, a genius or struggling with the instructions on a cup of ramen. In the end, trouble ensures we all have that one thing in common: the ability to choose how to respond when trouble comes.”

Now, I believe that "God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives.

Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day."

This profound insight will serve as our guiding light as we unpack the truths of today's scripture.

This passage, speaks to the heart of our human experience.

It acknowledges the pain of rejection, the sting of insults, and the loneliness of exclusion.

Yet, it also reminds us of the joy that awaits us, a joy that is not of this world, but of the heavenly kingdom.

It encourages us to rejoice and leap for joy in the face of trials, for our reward in heaven is great.

So today, let me say this, trouble will come, you can’t avoid it, so you must invite it!

Invite Trouble into our lives

In the world we live in, trouble is an unavoidable reality.

It's like the rain that falls on both the just and the unjust.

It's not a question of if we will face trouble, but when.

This is a truth that is trouble is just a part of life.

You are going to face it at some point.

So simply put, “You Can’t Avoid It.”

You can’t avoid trouble!

This is a truth that we see reflected in the lives of the prophets, the apostles, and even our Lord Jesus Christ himself.

The scripture we read today from the book of Luke speaks to this reality.

It tells us that we are blessed when people hate us, exclude us, insult us, and reject our name as evil because of the Son of Man.

This is a hard truth to swallow.

It's not the kind of blessing we often think about.

It's not the kind of blessing we usually pray for.

But it's a blessing nonetheless.

Why is it a blessing?

Because it's in the midst of trouble that we find our true strength.

It's in the midst of trouble that we learn to rely not on our own abilities, but on the strength of God.

It's in the midst of trouble that we learn to trust in God's promises, to hold on to His Word, and to find our joy in Him.

This is not to say that trouble is pleasant.

Far from it.

Trouble can be painful.

It can be disheartening.

It can be overwhelming.

But it's in the midst of trouble that we learn to see beyond our immediate circumstances, to see beyond the pain and the heartache, and to see the hand of God at work in our lives.

The first aspect of this idea that we need to understand is the nature of trouble itself.

Trouble is not a punishment from God.

It's not a sign of His displeasure.

It's not a measure of our worth.

Trouble is simply a part of life in a fallen world.

It's a consequence of sin, not necessarily our personal sin, but the sin of humanity as a whole.

The second aspect of this idea is our response to trouble.

How we respond to trouble reveals a lot about our faith.

Do we respond with anger and bitterness?

Do we respond with despair and hopelessness?

Or do we respond with faith and trust in God?

Our response to trouble is a reflection of our relationship with God.

The third aspect of this idea is the purpose of trouble.

Trouble is not meaningless.

It's not arbitrary.

It has a purpose.

The purpose of trouble is to refine us, to mold us, to shape us into the image of Christ.

It's through trouble that we learn patience, endurance, and perseverance.

It's through trouble that we learn to rely on God and to trust in His promises.

The fourth and final aspect of this idea is the outcome of trouble.

Trouble is not the end of the story.

It's not the final word.

The outcome of trouble is victory.

It's triumph.

It's joy.

The scripture tells us to rejoice in the day of trouble and leap for joy, because great is our reward in heaven.

Trouble is an unavoidable reality of life.

But it's not a reality to be feared.

It's a reality to be embraced.

Because it's in the midst of trouble that we find our true strength.

It's in the midst of trouble that we learn to rely on God.

And it's in the midst of trouble that we find our joy in Him.

Finding Strength When Trouble Comes

In the midst of life's storms, we often find ourselves questioning, "Why me?"

The answer, dear friends, is not a simple one, but it is deeply rooted in the scripture we're studying today.

Luke 6:22-23 offers us a perspective that is both challenging and comforting.

It tells us that when we face adversity, we are blessed.

This is a difficult truth to grasp, but it is a truth that can transform our understanding of struggle and our relationship with God.

The first aspect of this truth is that adversity is not a sign of God's disfavor.

When we face trials, it's easy to feel as though we've been abandoned or punished.

But the scripture tells us otherwise.

It says, "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man."

Now it doesn’t say you are blessed if you cause the trouble yourself.

It doesn’t say you are blessed when you are disobedient to God and know it.

It doesn’t say there is a blessing when you sin.

James actually tells us what about the trouble that is brought on by our sin.

James 1:14–16 (ESV)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Listen to what Paul wrote in Romans with regards to trouble brought on by sin:

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So the blessing becomes a curse when you activate sin in your life.

So when trouble is brought because of sin, we need to recognize it, repent of it, and turn away from it.

But Luke 6:22-23 tells us that trouble can come even when we are walking in the ways of the Lord.

Not as a punishment, but rather a part of our journey of faith.

The second aspect of this truth is that our response to adversity reveals the depth of our faith.

When we face trials, our reactions often reflect what we truly believe about God.

Do we trust Him to see us through?

Do we believe that He is with us, even in the midst of our pain?

The scripture encourages us to "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."

This is not a call to deny our pain, but rather to see beyond it, to the hope and joy that are ours in Christ.

The third aspect of this truth is that adversity has a purpose.

It is not meaningless suffering, but a tool that God uses to shape us and grow us.

The scripture tells us that this is how the ancestors treated the prophets.

This means that the trials we face are part of a larger story, a story of faith that stretches back through the ages.

Our struggles connect us to the prophets and to all who have walked the path of faith before us.

The word "blessed" in the original Greek text of Luke 6:22-23 carries a depth of meaning that is often lost in translation.

It signifies a state of ultimate happiness and fulfillment, a state that is independent of circumstances.

This word is used in other passages of scripture to describe the joy of those who trust in the Lord, such as in Matthew 5:3-11, where Jesus pronounces blessings on those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, those who are meek, and so on.

In each of these instances, "blessed” points to a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances, but on the inner reality of a relationship with God.

The fourth aspect of this truth is that adversity brings us closer to God.

When we face trials, we are often driven to our knees in prayer.

We seek God's comfort, His wisdom, His strength.

And in doing so, we draw closer to Him.

The scripture tells us to "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy," not because the trial itself is a cause for joy, but because it brings us into a deeper relationship with God.

The fifth aspect of this truth is that adversity prepares us for eternity.

The scripture tells us that "great is your reward in heaven."

This reminds us that our trials are temporary, but the rewards they bring are eternal.

Our struggles on earth are preparing us for an eternity with God, where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more suffering.

This perspective can give us strength to endure, knowing that our present troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

No Matter What Happens Stay Resilient

In the midst of trouble, we should be resilient.

It's the buoyancy of spirit that helps us navigate the turbulent waters of trials and tribulations.

Resilience, dear brothers and sisters, is the ability to bounce back, to rise again after being knocked down, to keep moving forward when the road ahead is steep and rocky.

It's the grit and determination that enables us to endure, to persevere, and to overcome.

Resilience, however, is not an innate trait that we are born with.

It's a quality that we develop and cultivate over time.

It's like a muscle that we build and strengthen through regular exercise and training.

And just as physical exercise involves resistance and struggle, so does the exercise of resilience.

It's in the face of trials and troubles that we learn to be resilient, that we learn to endure and persevere, that we learn to bounce back and rise again.

The first step in fostering resilience in the midst of trials is to change our perspective on trouble.

Often, we view trouble as an enemy, as something to be avoided at all costs.

But trouble, dear brothers and sisters, is not always a foe.

Sometimes, it's a friend in disguise.

It's a friend that challenges us, that pushes us out of our comfort zone, that forces us to grow and evolve.

It's a friend that teaches us valuable lessons about life, about ourselves, and about our faith.

Trouble is God's megaphone.

It's His way of getting our attention, of waking us up to the realities of life, of reminding us of our need for Him.

It's His way of shaping us, molding us, and refining us into the image of Christ.

The second step in fostering resilience in the midst of trials is to lean on God.

When the winds of trouble blow, we must anchor ourselves in God.

We must rely on His strength, His wisdom, His grace.

We must trust in His promises, His faithfulness, His love.

We must remember that He is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer.

He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

But leaning on God is more than just a passive act of trust.

It's an active act of faith. It's a conscious decision to surrender our troubles to God, to cast our cares on Him, to seek His guidance and direction.

It's a deliberate choice to walk in obedience to His Word, to follow His commandments, to live according to His principles.

It's a commitment to pray without ceasing, to praise in all circumstances, to give thanks in all things.

The third step in fostering resilience in the midst of trials is to cultivate a positive attitude.

A positive attitude, dear brothers and sisters, is not about denying the reality of our troubles.

It's not about pretending that everything is fine when it's not. I

t's about choosing to focus on the good, to count our blessings, to see the silver lining in every cloud.

It's about choosing to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

A positive attitude is like a beacon of light in the darkness of trouble.

It illuminates our path, guides our steps, and gives us hope.

It lifts our spirits, boosts our morale, and energizes our souls.

It empowers us to face our troubles with courage, confidence, and conviction.

It enables us to rise above our circumstances, to transcend our trials, to triumph over our tribulations.

The fourth and final step in fostering resilience in the midst of trials is to persevere.

Perseverance, dear brothers and sisters, is the key to resilience.

It's the ability to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep believing, even when the going gets tough.

It's the determination to press on, to press forward, to press toward the goal, despite the obstacles, despite the setbacks, despite the difficulties.

Perseverance is a testament to our faith, a demonstration of our trust in God.

It's a reflection of our commitment to God, our devotion to God, our love for God.

It's a manifestation of our hope in God, our confidence in God, our reliance on God.

It's an affirmation of our belief in God, our faith in God, our trust in God.

So, dear brothers and sisters, let us foster resilience in the midst of trials.

Let us change our perspective on trouble, lean on God, cultivate a positive attitude, and persevere.

Let us rise above our circumstances, transcend our trials, and triumph over our tribulations.

Let us be resilient, for in resilience, we find strength, in strength, we find hope, and in hope, we find peace.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our time together, let's remember that the trials we face are not meant to break us, but to shape us.

They're not meant to discourage us, but to strengthen our faith.

They're not meant to push us away from God, but to draw us closer to Him.

And in the midst of it all, God's love for us remains steadfast and unchanging.

His goodness is unwavering, even when our circumstances are challenging.

In our struggles, we find a deeper connection with our Savior, who himself was not a stranger to suffering.

He knows our pain, He understands our trials, and He is with us every step of the way.

So, let's hold on to that truth.

Let's cling to the promise of His presence, His strength, and His love.

And let's remember that our reward in heaven is great, far greater than any trials we may face here on earth.

Let’s Pray.