When in trouble, the first thing we try to do…

The most difficult type of difficulty to deal with is when you’re the innocent victim and it’s not your fault.  It’s a problem you didn’t bring on yourself but you have it anyway.  In Paul’s situation, he had already told them, “GOD says don’t do this or the ship will be wrecked.”  They did it anyway and he’s a prisoner and he has to go along.  He experiences a shipwreck because of other people.  Not all of the shipwrecks in your life are your fault.  Some of them you just happen to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time.  Those are difficult difficulties to deal with but you’re in the shipwreck because you happen to be there. 

First of all, determine the reason – “What caused this?”  Then, DETERMINE THE RESULT.

Ask, “What does GOD want me to learn from this difficulty?” 

2 Corinthians 4.17 (Ph), “These little troubles, which are temporary, are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.”  

Make a distinction between troubles and temporary and then permanent and reward.  Paul is saying that the problems you have in your life are not going to last.  The problems are temporary but the reward is permanent.  The purpose is permanent. 

When we go through difficulties, the first thing we try to do is blame somebody else.  Whose fault is this? 

It doesn't matter where your problem came from GOD still has a purpose for it in your life.  HE wants you to grow as a result of it.  Even when you do stupid things yourself, GOD can use it.  Even when other people hurt me intentionally HE can use it.  Even when the devil plans bad things for my life, GOD can bring good out of it. GOD’s purpose is greater than your problem and your pain.  GOD has a plan behind your pain, your problem.  HE’ll use it.  You need to look past the temporary pain and look at the long-term benefit, the results in your life. 

Just a thought from the front porch…