The Backyard Dog Named Trouble

   Jesus promised that as long as we are in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we sure don't like it much, do we? We many times will go out of our way to avoid it if at all possible with our all-powerful back up plans. And even some of us dare not get involved too closely with people for fear of hurting someone or worse - them hurting & offending us! Then there are the ridiculous things that just happen as we go on about our daily lives; anything from dropping lids on the floor 10 times in 5 minutes, spilling your drink all over your chin again & again to a complete misunderstanding with a family member that drove them up the wall. You do your best to live at peace with everyone most days and stuff still seems to go completely wrong over and over again.
  Several years ago, some new neighbors moved in behind us. While I was working out in the backyard there was this deep raspy bark coming from our neighbors' backyard. It never failed every single time we went out back to do anything, he was there barking up a storm. After a few months of this, we met the new owner at a Neighborhood Night Out event in our area - we discovered the dog's name was Trouble! One day I was drying off my car after a car wash and cleaning the inside and there was Trouble with his loud obnoxious bark peering through the fence hole at me. He sounded pretty ferocious and in his mind I am sure he was. But to me, his annoying bark just drained me of the focus I needed to complete my task at hand with joy. I began to complain about Trouble, even telling him to please shut up. His response? He got all the more louder of course! I even talked to myself about Trouble, then I proceeded to come inside and tell my husband about Trouble. I laughed it off, but later realized the effect that Trouble had on me. There was a great lesson and correlation between this dog and the real trouble that reeks havoc in our lives in spite of all our excellent planning.                                                                                                                                     

   Though this dog sounded as though he'd tear you apart if he could get close enough, he couldn't because he had a fence around him. That's just the way it is with real trouble when it comes but sometimes we forget the purpose of trouble and we fret, we get anxious and complain. This is the only way trouble gains access to you. After Jesus said we would have trouble, then He also said, "But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." I know I know, when you are irritated beyond belief "cheer up!" is the last thing you want to hear! But just receive the full meaning of that statement. He's basically saying, "Don't lose your joy, hold on to it! I've already taken care of the tough stuff, I've got you covered." 

   Most of my life I felt I had to have everything figured out. Addicted to reasoning you might say, though I do still struggle with that though from time to time, God showed me a better way - which is to look for the deeper purpose of our challenges whether large or small - there is a lesson just waiting to be revealed, but you must look for it. So while pondering the purpose for trouble and still faltering in & out of self -pity over my troubles that seemed so constant and so much bigger than anyone else's, I heard a well-known pastor say, "Trouble that drives you to Jesus is a great priceless treasure." He went on to point out all the great benefits of trouble one right after another. My perspective at that point began to change even more than ever before. 
   When you belong to Jesus, you are safe from the power of trouble to harm you or bring you down, but it is first our responsibility to believe this truth and trust Jesus completely to bring you through it and work good from it in your own life. Because He gave the promise that He will work all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
    So the bottom line is, Trouble has a boundary on him and he's been deprived of the power to harm you. So just remember that truth when you're in the thick issues of life and you can't seem to see straight ahead. Get in your quiet place with God immediately and let Him calm your spirit and soul with this Truth. You love God, you are called for His purpose in the earth and He will use this for your good somehow, someway. God knows how even though we don't see it - He sees it clearly. He never wastes a hurt or a trial. He's so faithful and worth all our trust. Amen.

  Til we meet again - may His grace, mercy, love & Truth be revealed to you more & more! Rise up church!
~DustyFaith

DRFARMER(c)2015