You got troubles? Rejoice!

Do you think the Lord meant it when He told us to rejoice in our sufferings?  Well, He took the trouble to tell us at least three times, through three different New Testament authors (Paul, James, & Peter), so He must have meant it!

"We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation." - Romans 5:3-4

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." - James 1:2-4

"So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold - though your faith is far more precious than gold.  So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."  - 1 Peter 1:6-7

When you believe by faith that you have been saved by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, then you are no longer in a "hostile relationship" with God.  You are now at peace with God, in a relationship of love and acceptance - even to the point that He accepts you as His own son/daughter (Romans 8:16).

It's true that even though we have this loving, peaceful relationship with God now, we may still not always "feel" calm or tranquil in our daily lives.  This is because we are not at peace with this world, and we may still experience conflict from time to time.  However, even amidst this conflict, we can live with the peace of knowing that we are not in conflict with God, and that the trials we are currently facing are to strengthen us in endurance and character, and in the confident hope of our salvation.  This is the meaning of true peace and joy within, no matter what your "worldly circumstances."

So, look at your current troubles with that "eternal perspective," and rejoice in knowing that God is using them to strengthen you, and grow you even closer to Him and more like Christ, in whose sufferings we are sharing, knowing that Christ overcame them all, even death!  That same power of Christ that overcame death is the same power within you to overcome your daily troubles (1 John 5:4).  We may share in his sufferings now from time to time, but we give praise that one day we will share in His glory and honor!