When troubles come your way

”Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)

Reacting positively to troubles

 You cannot escape troubles (problems and difficulties).Jesus said, “In this world  you will have trouble.” But how you react is what’s important.You May not be able to control when negative things happen to you, but you can control your response, positively or negatively. The choice is entirely yours.The passage at top says to consider your troubles to be an “opportunity for great joy”. Unfortunately, most people do not see their troubles as opportunities for great joy, but rather, react negatively to them. Many successful people see problem solving as a critical ingredient to growth and success. Problem solving is the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution. Wise people face their troubles and problems straight on and actively work to find positive solutions.Therefore, they learn, grow, improve and move head through the process. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:3 NIV)

See things from God’s perspective 

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18 NIV)

Therefore…

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15)

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:103 ESV)

“Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” (Psalm 119:143 ESV)

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)

 Quotes:

“We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.” - George Washington

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” - Charles R. Swindoll