We all have one thing in common. Trouble. The storms are coming. So, how are we going to respond?

John 16:31-33 MSG Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

There are 4 types of trouble we all will or are finding ourselves in.

4 types of trouble
“Me” trouble. This is self inflicted trouble.
How many times do we get into “me” trouble and blame God? It’s usually not just one decision that gets us here. It is a bunch of little decisions. The good news is no matter how deep your “me” trouble is, God wants to forgive you.

Psalm 51:1-4 NIV Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.

We must be convicted by the Holy Spirit and how God can change us. We have to own our mistakes. We must take accountability. When we own our stuff God honors honesty and transparency.

We can see this in David’s story. (See 2 Samuel and 1 Kings) David’s relationship was renewed.

Proverbs 28:13 NIV Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
“Devil” trouble
Ephesians 6:10-12 MSG And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

We are in a spiritual battle. Satan will try to manipulate us in our minds. We must know God's word so that we know what the lies are.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan is looking for the straggler. The one away from the herd. We cannot do life alone, nor should we try.

James 4:7-10 MSG So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.

1 John 4:4 NIV You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The Holy Spirit is in us. We have all we need to resist and defeat the enemy. We are called to channel that.
“Others” trouble
This is when other people have caused consequences for you. These are people that hurt, maim, reject, discard, abandon, falsely accuse, and forget about you.

When we look at the story of Joseph, he was 17-37 years old. He spent 20 years working for the sight of God. He was not forgotten. (See Genesis Chapters 37-50)

God was working in Joseph’s heart. We know this because he didn’t take revenge on his brothers.

Genesis 50:19-21 MSG Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

BUT God.

Joseph did not see himself as a victim. This was because of the power and strength of God. Others will not see you as a victim when you don’t hold onto unforgiveness. We need His strength because forgiveness is hard.

This is how we are the light to the world. God is seen through us when it is only by His power that we can have the strength to forgive what seems unforgivable.

Romans 8:26-28 MSG Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Say this in the depths of your despair. When we repeat this in the midst of our troubles is when we grow in our trust of Him.
“God” trouble
Psalm 119:67 NIV Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

In biblical times, a shepherd would break the leg of a sheep that kept wandering. This was so it could not go far. Sometimes we need a broken leg to stay close.

Psalm 119:71 NIV It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

The story of Jonah is an incredible picture of what it looks like to run from the calling God has placed on your life. The moral of the story, don’t run from the calling of God. (See Jonah Chapter 1-4)

Mark 4:35-40 NIV That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Often when trouble comes we forget what Jesus said. We need faith the most when we are in the midst of our troubles. God cares about our troubles, but He cares more about developing our faith.

James 1:2-4 MSG Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Romans 5:3-5 MSG There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

If we want to get through our troubles we have to hold into the promises of God. We must get to know them first. This is why it is so important to spend time in His word.

Isaiah 40:29 NIV He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 46:4 NIV Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Psalm 34:19 NIV The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.