Troubles are a consequence of the fallen and sinful world we live in: the whole nature is in a state of dying and decomposition waiting to be delivered from the bondage of corruption [Romans 8:19-22].
As soon as we are born our bodies start its journey from growth to death. Diseases abound with viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other parasites that cause us to get sick and die. Many of the existing viruses we have a cure for can and do mutate: the common flu is mutating all the time, and that is why there is still not a remedy to stop it. Even old plagues can return to cause trouble: in October 2010 an outbreak of cholera in Tahiti proved to be so fatal because there has not been cholera there for the last 100 years, and the present population has not developed any immunity against the bacteria.
Our bodies are a miracle from GOD. However when a skull breaks or the spine cord is severed, a lung is perforated, an artery is blocked, or the heart stops, there is not much that can be done. Unless medical science intervenes, death is the most likely natural consequence.
As well, there are genetic imperfections (or mutations) that will result on heart failure, cancer, leukemia, Alzheimer’s disease, and many other degenerative diseases. And even though our life span is increasing thanks to advances in medical and pharmaceutical technology, we have exposed ourselves to so many more new dangers as airplanes, cars, machines, weapons, pollution, radiation (from phones to power-lines), stresses, and even fun radical sports that multiply the chances of us dying, getting hurt or sick. Things that we rely on do break up, wear out, and malfunction all the time (for example: airplanes, trains, cars, lifts, buildings, bridges).
The amazing powers of nature are totally uncontrollable and easily can dwarf our daily existence. Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes, floods, droughts, thunder storms, heat waves, extra freezing weather conditions and snow storms.
In the period between 2010 and 2011, we had extra cold conditions in the Northern hemisphere; huge floods in Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Australia; Earthquakes in Chile, New Zealand, and Japan. The earthquakes in Japan created tsunami waves of over 5 meters that carried huge ships onto the coast. Who or what can uphold forces of such scale? The result: thousands and thousands of lives lost, millions of people left homeless, billions and billions of dollars required to rebuild what was destroyed.
Mental and emotional diseases like anger, jealousy, envy, lust, bitterness, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy desires, lies, disobedience, foolishness, deceit, hate, guile, hypocrisies, evil speaking, selfishness, and uncleanness can cause us much pain and suffering [Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8-9, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 2:1], and even cause us diseases.
Are also fatal the use of drugs, drinking, smoking, eating too much or not eating enough, not resting enough or resting too much, working too hard or not working at all, not having any pleasure and having too much pleasure.
Our reliance on money can also be a root of many troubles: financial crisis, unemployment, bad financial decisions, greed, too many financial commitments, bankruptcy, etc.
Certainly evil spiritual forces operating in our world since the beginning of the times are another cause of emotional and physical trouble. In the first chapter of the book of Job we learn from verses 10-12 that GOD lifts his protection over Job and puts all that Job has under Satan’s power, except Job himself. As a result of that, Satan causes Job to loose his children and all his wealth. In Job 2:7, after GOD’s permission, “went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown”. King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit after the Spirit of GOD departed from him, which led him into insanity and to become jealous of David [1 Samuel 16:14]. Jesus healed many sick people under the influence of evil spirits [Mark 1:23, Mark 5:2, Mark 7:25, Mark 9:25, Luke 13:11]. Paul suffered because of what he calls a messenger from Satan [2 Corinthians 12:7].
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Reading suggestion: in his book “Where is GOD when it hurts?”, Philip Yancey takes us in a journey through the common elements of pain and suffering (physical and emotional) in the lives of several people whose daily existence challenges anyone to understand why GOD can allow so much misery and hurt in this world. From the many stories in the book, we can learn that even in the midst of pain and suffering, many of these people can find peace and joy in life once they learn how to manage their troubles, submit to GOD and draw from HIS power.
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Large or small, problems and troubles exist to be overcome: sometimes in order that we can live a life to the full, sometimes for our growth, and sometimes for the glory of GOD [John 11:4].
Many problems can bring us closer to GOD or even help people to see the existence of GOD or be lead into eternal salvation. Therefore it is important to be ready to handle not only the “good problems” but also all the troubles we will experience as we live in this world.
The better we get at handling our problems and troubles GOD’s way the less afflicted, anguish, and distressed we will be, and more able to glorify GOD more often we will become. Perhaps even become better at solving many of our problems and troubles.
We should make a goal in life to become good problem managers and to seek GOD first for help, both with small and big problems, with occasional and persistent problems.
I have a problem
“Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.” [Psalms 31:9 NLT].
We all have problems. Some have huge problems, others have small problems. Some problems are easy to solve, other problems are a source of trouble.
My “big trouble” started in early 2000. Sometimes problems hit us with such an impact and unexpected sudden that it appears as if one was hit by a bus when crossing the road. At least that is how it felt to me.
What about my problems?
In the beginning of 1999, GOD blessed my wife and I with the opportunity to buy a block of land to build our first home on for our family. It was a time of great plans and joyful expectations. We had the house plans prepared by an architect and after a few months we had it approved by the local Council (local government building authority), as we complied with all the requirements.
Six months after we had purchased our block and before we started building, a new neighbor moved to the property next door and showed interest in purchasing our land. The area comprised of our block and the neighbor’s property was part of little secluded forest sanctuary. Without our home, the neighbor next door would have a private area for himself.
In early 2000 we entered into a building contract with an experienced local contractor and started building. The day the builder started working on our block, the neighbor tried to prevent this and called the police. After this initial situation was resolved and the building work began again, we received a letter from the neighbor’s attorneys indicating that they would start legal proceedings against us on the Supreme Court of Australia. One thing led to another and we ended up in a legal battle in the Supreme Court.
It was a very stressful time for me and my family: the costs were very heavy, we had no certainty of any favorable outcomes for the case had no previous instances in the courts of Australia, and the fear of losing the case and having to pay costs and being under a huge debt was enormous. Within this context, our attorney suggested then that we should stop building in case we lose the case and had to demolish the house and waste any money we invested in it. This caused the dreams of building our first home to halt.
For me this was also a confusing time because I could not understand why this was happening. I felt helpless as I had to rely on the advices of an attorney that I did not know. I don’t like to admit it, but I felt similarly to Job in that one of the things that I feared most had happened to me: to be involved in a legal battle of huge proportions without the knowledge or the money.
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