God’s Children Will Face Trouble In This Life

Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7

A lot of Christians are disappointed or even disillusioned in their faith because somewhere along the line they bought into the popular fallacy that being a child of God guarantees a life of unending blessing: health, wealth, comfort and ease.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In the book of Job we read, “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). Indeed, suffering is a fact of life in a fallen world.

Consider the names and descriptions given the Holy Spirit. Jesus described him as our Advocate (see John 14:16,26). Other passages and/or Bible translations call him our Helper, our Comforter and Counselor. Such terms and phrases clearly imply we will routinely find ourselves in desperate situations.

We need to adjust our expectations accordingly. We will face trouble, but we will never be alone.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME
• My Spirit will be with you in all your times of trouble.

MY PRAYER TO GOD
I should never be surprised by trouble, Lord. The Bible and human experience indicate that hard times are to be expected in this life. Thank you for sending your Spirit. I do not go through difficulty alone. You are with me always—to counsel, help and pray for me.