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When trouble comes your way how do you receive it? It is with a joyful spirit? A bitter and resentful heart? Or is it with a submissive attitude?

I'm almost certain for me – my initial reaction is to be bitter and resentful. I start out by asking all kinds of questions like "What did I do to deserve this?" and "Why me? Why now?" Questions I do not have the answers to and to be completely honest with you… no one truly has the answers except for God.

As I was studying the verse above it led me throughout the Bible to several different books in both the Old and New Testaments.

Just a few verses later in the book of Psalms it says "I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me." Psalms 119:75 NIV

Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 5-11 were written as an encouragement to persevere in the face of hardship says "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

God's discipline is evidence we are His children! As hard as trouble may be it is not a reason to despair. Instead God's discipline should be the basis for encouragement and perseverance. And when received with a submissive attitude it is wholesome and beneficial.

As I continued my search I was amazed by the things I found in the passages I was directed to. In Genesis 50, verse 20 Joseph tells his brothers (who had almost had him killed and sold him into slavery) "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Lately I have felt a strong connection to Joseph – simply because I admire his attitude and courageousness in the face of the trials and tribulations he endured – all without obvious cause. If only I could be like him.

Another amazing person I came across in my search was Mordecai in the book of Esther. Mordecai said the following to Esther as an encouragement seeking her help against persecution of her and her people – "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 NIV

I'm not sure if you're seeing the consistent message I saw in reading these passages… but it all became clear to me as I read the following in Acts chapter 2, verses 22-23 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." NIV

"God's set purpose and foreknowledge" – no matter what happens – God knows and He's using it for good. So if I can trust God in the good… I can trust Him in trouble as well. He's still in charge.

Father God, I pray for a change of heart – that when faced with trouble, instead of reacting out of anger and bitterness, instead I would have a submissive heart. In Jesus name! Amen!

"Bible verse and quote" from Jan Couns

Bible and Quote - March 17-21