These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.–John 16:33
If we “might have peace” in time of “tribulation” why don’t we? Let’s face it–most of us don’t do good when things go bad. Even with all our Savior’s warnings and promises, we allow ourselves to be troubled by our troubles– to the point that it leads to more of the same. Isn’t it strange how some “Bible-believers” stop believing when things go wrong. Perhaps they are asking the wrong question. J. R. Miller gave some good advice about this many years ago when he said:
True victory is not found in escaping or evading trials — but in rightly meeting and enduring them. The questions should not be, “How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper, or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the troubles which continually harass me?” There is nothing noble in such living. The soldier who flees when the battle approaches, is no hero; he is a coward.
The questions should rather be, “How can I pass through these trying experiences — and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles — and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these reproaches and testings of my temper — and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?”
Dear friend,the story of Job teaches us that the important question is not, “When will I get out of this?”, but, “What shall I get out of this?”. As long as we are focused on the wrong question we will never arrive at the right answer. Peace is possible only when we change the “When?” to “What?”.
