Focus: Trophies From Troubles!

Text: 2Cor.7:6

"Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus."

Calvin Coolidge said, "If you see ten troubles coming down the road, you can be sure that nine will run into the ditch before they reach you." This life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. Even those who believe in Christ are constantly going through stuff. 

In one place, David tells us about "the valley of the shadow of death," and in another place, he says that "many are the afflictions of the righteous…" We live in a troubled and troubling world. Life, for so many, is often tumbling and rumbling. To make matters worse, there is so much we do not understand this side of life. Job faced a rough and tough time in life and was unable to detect exactly what was happening to him. He said to God, "Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me" (Jb.10:2). His mind was wandering and wondering - what could be my offense for all these calamities that have come upon me? He couldn't make out the head and tail of them. He found himself in the middle of nowhere, trying to figure out the reason for his troubles.

After all said and done, God came through for Job. Job kept faith with God and triumphed in the face of all odds. He survived the onslaught of the enemy, saw through his confusion, and rejoiced at last. He got back all he lost, and even more. God comforted and saw him through it all.

God knows how to use our troubles to weave our trophies and how to design our crowns, using our crosses as His raw materials.

Suffering saint, this word is for you. God will come through for you. He will see you through in all facets of life. He is your comforter in times of crisis. He is truly the comforter of the downcast.

Watch out for your own Titus. God, who sent Titus to bring the comfort of God to Paul, is sending you your own Titus. Your Titus is bringing you the comfort of Christ. God uses others to give us the comfort we need in times of trouble.

I pray for "miserable comforters" in the name of friends to be far away from you. Miserable comforters are self-sent, not God-sent. God-sent comforters refresh your soul and warm your heart. They bring you right and soothing words and the needed comfort. 

Be assured that your trophies are hidden inside the troubles you are going through.

Your cross will yield your crown to you. From your sighs you will get your songs. Your God turns ashes into beauty, trials into testimonies, and thorns into a tapestry of majesty. See beyond the cross to the joy that is set before you. Hear me as I re-echo the words of Charlie Chaplin, that "nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." 

by Bishop Moses E. Peter