• Some bad things come about because there is evil in this world. Since the day that Adam & Eve defied God in the Garden of Eden, the world has been caught in a mire of corruption and longs to be released from its bondage (Romans 8:10-20). We do not have to be ‘at fault’ to experience difficulty; we only have to be human. 

• Some of our difficulties are a result of someone else’s failure; mistake, greed or bad intentions. There have been numerous stories of whole communities that experienced illnesses because of the waste products of industrialization. A doctor makes an error and his patient suffers; a prescription mislabeled may cause heart failure. While in the hospital, I was once given orders which were meant for my roommate causing an infection which ended in several more hospitalizations. Not my fault but I suffered from someone else’s error.

• We make bad decisions and reap the results of those decisions. (Try to remember that consequences of poor judgment do not always happen immediately but my be delayed for years after the initial actions) The psalmist, David, asked to God search him and find any wicked way in him (Psalm 139:24). So, if you do discover that your difficulty is a result of your own action own up to it, confess your sin and let God guide you through the consequences. You will find that we have a gracious and merciful God. Although He allows us to reap what we have sown, His grace will bring us through to the other side a better person. Please review Romans 8:28 and lay hold of His promise to make all things work for our good if we love Him and live according to His purpose.

• Another reason for an extensive struggle is preparation for a special assignment. Like soldiers in an army, training will equip us; strengthen us and harden us for the job ahead. An example is Joseph, son of Jacob, who was beaten, left for dead and sold as a slave. He would later be falsely imprisoned. During this difficult time God was honing Joseph’s administrative skills. Joseph never became bitter over his situation but continued to serve God to the extent that others around him were able to see God’s work in his life. He would eventually save his family and the whole country of Egypt from starvation during a time of famine. Also, the apostle Paul endured times of extended confinement in jails and prisons, even being chained to a guard in a rented apartment, because of his faithfulness in preaching the Gospel. One of the results of Paul’s long days awaiting trail is his letters to the newly formed churches like Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. What is God preparing ahead for you? 

and know everything about me. 

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. 

and when I rest at home.      

You know everything I do.

even before I say it, Lord. 

You place your hand of blessing on my head. 

too great for me to understand!” Psalm 139 NLT  

Need to have wisdom for a special situation:
But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom. James 1:5 NCV

Needs, unmet needs:

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19  

Need peace of mind 
You will keep him in perfect peace,          

Whose mind is stayed on You,         

Because he trusts in You. Isa 26:3 NKJV

Need to know Jesus; to be sure of your salvation: 
If you confess with your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom 10:9-10

Since I began to write this devotional I have been diagnosed with colon cancer. I was scheduled to give this as a devotional at a luncheon the day after the doctor called me with the news; God gave me the grace to do so. I find that there are no coincidences in the Christian walk; as I was encouraging my listeners, God brought encouragement back to me. I went immediately to the elders of my church (James 5:14) to ask them to lay hands on me and pray. Honestly, I found it difficult to even say the word ‘cancer’ and spent a considerable amount of time talking to God about it. It was hard to believe that God would allow this in my life. I struggled emotionally with the reality that I would have to undergo surgery. Like most, I asked God about the ‘why’.

After the test results came back, my surgeon came into the hospital room to tell me that the tumor had shrunk since he first discovered it and that the lymph glands (which he had also removed) were clear of the cancer. I am ever so grateful for God’s provision of prayer and for the prayers of the saints. I am recovering well. To be honest, I don’t have the proper perspective to say just what God will do with this one, nonetheless, Jesus is Lord of my life and I do see his hand at work in my day to day life. It is times like these that my savior is more real to me than the circumstances that surround me.  

So, take a hard look at your present difficulty, which category does it fall into? Now the adventure begins as you allow God to work out the details and create his character in you. Pray for me, too, that I would be conformed to the image of Christ.