Don't Let Troubles Ruin Your Day

We have previously looked at the progression that takes place in our lives. As we increasingly love with knowledge and discernment, it brings a change to us. It causes us to increasingly make excellent choices in our lives so that over time, we are increasingly free of flaws and less likely to become a stumbling block to others.

We saw this in Philippians 1:10 where we are told: “That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.”

But then, that makes Philippians 1:11 a summary verse, ”Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Like a fruit tree, our lives are to bear a crop. Apple tree bears apples and cherry tree bears cherries. The life of a Christian is to bear “righteousness.” That is the end of the process. We are to bear the “fruits of righteousness” which are manifest in the things we’ve talked about.

And how do we do that? There is only one way. In John 15:5 Jesus states, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” There should be emphasis placed on that word, “nothing.” We can accomplish “nothing” of spiritual significance apart from Christ.

To bear the crop that God wants us to bear, we must abide in Christ. Righteousness is the fruit that can only come from abiding in Christ. So I ask you this question: Are you abiding in Christ? Then increasingly, you will live a more righteous life.

But now let’s move on to new territory. So far, Paul has been talking about the Philippians. He’s been rejoicing in the good memories he had of them. He’s been thanking God for them. And it’s brought him joy, just like we should bring joy to one another. Paul is rejoicing as he writes this.

But now, Paul turns a corner. He’d been focusing upon them, the Philippians. Now, he focuses on himself - his own troubles - troubles that are very real and very present, troubles that would make most of ours look like good times. And he knows that the Philippians know all about those troubles. So he tries to put his troubles into perspective for them so they won’t be distressed.

Troubles are inevitable, but how do we deal with them? What do they mean? Should they rob us of our joy? No! Should they cause us to be discouraged and give up? No! Those are the questions Paul addresses for us.

How should we look at our troubles? Or to ask it another way, “What can rob us of joy?” We know things can, if we let them. Troubles certainly have a way of doing that. But, do we have to let them?

First, we need to understand, troubles are a normal part of life. Let me read just a few of the verses that prove this:

Job 5:7 – “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

Job 14:1 - “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”

Ecclesiastes 2:23 – “For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.”

But there’s good news in this: It’s found in the words of Jesus. In John 16:33, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Do you see? Troubles are guaranteed in this life. You can’t get away from them if you live on planet earth. The world brings trouble. But in Jesus, we can have peace. So the lesson? “Be of good cheer,” Jesus says. Why? Because He has “overcome the world.” The world doesn’t have to control our emotions because Jesus controls the world.

And that’s a measure of our spiritual maturity. Sure, we can let the world get us down. We can if we allow troubles to cause us to question God. Say, for instance, if we get cancer, some people would question God about that: “God, don’t you love me? Why would you let this happen to me?” The questions would rob them of their joy. So it is important for us to learn the right attitude, and that is, “God you are in control. I trust You.”