Trouble

I remember as a kid learning what it meant to be “in trouble”. When I stepped outside the rules that my parents had set for me, I was “in trouble”. There was punishment to follow. I remember in grade school at Knifley Elementary learning how to avoid getting into trouble. I should be quiet when the teacher said be quiet. I should follow all the instructions the teacher gave out. Most of the time when I got into trouble, it was of my own actions. Occasionally, I was with someone else who disobeyed, and I was guilty by association. The punishment wasn’t always fair, but I knew what I had done wrong and I also learned not to repeat the behavior.

As I think about trouble today, it’s similar. I’m often the cause of my own trouble. I make choices every day that get me in trouble or keep me out of trouble. It’s more peaceful in my life when I make choices to avoid trouble. I am learning to call upon the Lord when I’m in trouble and prior to my troubles as well. Check this out….

¹ O Lord, God of my salvation,
    I cry out to you by day.
    I come to you at night.
² Now hear my prayer;
    listen to my cry.
³ For my life is full of troubles,
    and death draws near.
⁴ I am as good as dead,
    like a strong man with no strength left. (Psalm 88:1-4 NLT)

Each morning when I wake up, I’m not sure if trouble is near or far. I can’t predict what the days holds, but I can trust the One Who holds the day in His hands. He is with me in trouble. He is with me in peace and contentment. I want to be with Him and to have Him with me no matter what the day ahead looks like. My choices today can bring trouble quickly. My choice to seek the heart of God can give me peace during trouble. He can help me navigate out of trouble and back into peace and contentment.

Pressing On!

Dwayne