Expecting Trouble?

There is no doubt in people’s minds, the number of violent crimes involving guns are increasing. When the terrible Columbine High School incident, in Littleton, Colorado on April 20, 1999 killed 15 and injured 24, people went into a form of shock and haven’t fully exited. The incident at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado, on June 20, 2012 that killed 12 and injured 59 stains our conscience. There remain abundant unanswered questions.

The loss of innocent life is both shocking and unexplained. Psychologists will remind us that when someone does something seemingly unthinkable, don’t expect a rational explanation. There might not be one. Don’t expect that even when all the logistics are worked out that somehow, you can make sense of this idiocy.

If only someone could have seen this trouble coming and prepared us. Maybe then we could accept the fact that trouble is expected. When the facts or reason fail to give us comfort and answers, maybe we should put intellectual curiosity on the back burner and step into the realm of faith. If only there was some precedent. Wait—doesn’t the Bible say something about trouble to come?

The “gospel” of Matthew 6:34 says: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent, no doubt, worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting God’s guidance. When well done, planning can help alleviate worry.

The “gospel” of John 16:33 says: “In this world you will have trouble”. The key here is “will have”. Not maybe, not perhaps, but will! With these words “Christ” told his disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face (we all face), they would not be alone.

The “gospel” of Romans 8:38-39 says: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Some ask where is God. Help me God! Fear not, He is right by your side holding you up. Powers are unseen forces in the universe, forces like Satan, evil, and his fallen angels (read Ephesians 6:12).

Trouble is here to stay. We’re not going to always understand it. Don’t always go along with the crowd—they’ll lead you into trouble, sin and possibly even death. The bible says “Choose today who you will serve”. Exercise faith!