Why does it seem the harder we try to please God, the more tribulations that follow us?  The Bible tells us that tribulations will come. Jesus tells us in John 16:33,”These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

But sometimes it seems everywhere we look we find more troubles.  We know that God holds us in the palm of His hand and that He counts the hairs of our heads.  He knows our comings and goings.  He sees our difficulties and trials.  His strength is made perfect in our weakness.  In II Corinthians 12:9 Jesus says, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul’s response is, “Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

Yet, knowing all these truths, still we wonder why we must suffer so much in this life.  I know of preachers who have had many healed through their hands and prayers.  Then the preacher fights a long battle with cancer and loses. Why?  Several world famous television evangelists have seen healings and miracles throughout their ministries, yet they die from heart attacks and strokes.  Why?

In Romans we are told that we should, “…glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.”  We certainly all need hope.  Hope is sometimes the only thing that keeps us going when in the midst of terrible circumstances.  We also see in II Corinthians 1:4, that what we learn through our tribulations will help us to encourage others facing the same battles.

I know this: we all will experience trials and setbacks in life.  We all will endure suffering and loss.  We all will face situations where there seems to be no reason or sense.  And I know this all part of God’s wonderful plan for us.  Each will face his own troubles, but we will never face them alone because Jesus has promised to be our comfort and our strength.  No matter how difficult things become, we must trust in our Loving  God to help us through and to bring sweet victory in the end.

We may never know all the hows and whys of our tribulations; but we walk in faith; believing that God is always watching over us and that He always wants good things for us.  He is our high tower and strength, our ever present help in time of trouble.  Thank you, Jesus.