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TRIUMPH OVER TROUBLE "Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." (Job 5:6-7) The general idea here is that trouble does not just spring up out of the ground or drop out of the air by chance. Trouble is part of living in a sin-cursed world. Man has known trouble since the Garden of Eden, because man has known sin just as long. As long as the law of sin and death rules, there will be trouble. This is not to say that every ounce of trouble that one faces is directly connected to a sin he has committed. This is sometimes the case, but not always, and maybe not even usually. No, trouble is just part of life on earth. Walk through a rain storm and you'll get wet; walk through this present evil world and you'll have trouble. Here are four simple things that might offer some comfort and help when dealing with trouble in your own life . . . 1). IT COULD BE WORSE. I Thessalonians 5:18 says to give thanks in everything. If you'll do that consistently, you'll often be reminded of how much worse things could be. As someone once said, "I complained that I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." A visit to a nursing home, a county jail, or a children's hospital can easily change your perspective. Friend, it could be far worse. 2). OTHERS ENDURE, SO CAN YOU. I Corinthians 10:13 says that God will not put more on you than you can bear and that He will provide a way of escape, not escaping the trouble, but escaping defeat and sin during the trouble. One of the most convicting thoughts that I ever have is how unsaved people often handle trouble better than I. If others can get though it, then so can I, and even more so with God's grace (Heb. 4:16). 3). THIS IS YOUR CROSS. Jesus said in Luke 9:23 to take up your cross daily and follow Him. When trouble enters your path, it is YOUR cross and you must take it up and bear it for the Lord. It is a test that you must take and pass. Job understood this when he said, "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) You will NOT come forth as gold, if you run from your cross instead of taking it up and bearing it gladly. Our works will be tried on the basis of what "sort" they are (I Cor. 3:13). If you want treasure instead of trash, take up your cross and cherish it. 4). THINGS ARE GOING TO GET BETTER. Romans 8:28 says that all things are working together for the "good" in the life of the believer who loves God, so things might get better sooner than you think. But even if not, they will definitely get better when all things become new! Revelation 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." For the saved, present troubles are but a "light affliction" when compared to our glorious future in the Lord (II Cor. 4:17). One day, whether by the clouds or the clods, your troubles will end. When this happens, you will be eternally thankful that you endured trouble patiently instead of resisting it with endless murmuring and complaining. Every day when you awake you are one day closer to the end of all trouble. No more tears, no more pain, no more sickness, sorrow or death. Hang in there, my friend, because things are going to get better, a LOT better!