The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:16-18
For He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock. Psalms 27:5
The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead. Proverbs 11:8
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:14-17
We will ALL encounter … trouble, whether it is our fault or not. Where do you turn in your times of trouble? Whom do you seek out to console and help you? What is your usual reaction when you encounter trouble? What does your reaction show about your heart and mind? Is it stayed on God and are you immediately listening to the Voice of the Holy Spirit, or is fear or anger taking charge in your emotions?
Has the Holy Spirit been teaching you to quell your reactions to … trouble? Has He been teaching you to stop your tongue before it gets you in trouble? What percentage of the trouble you are currently in and have been in – is a result of your own bad decisions or reactions? What amount of trouble have you been in because of following the prompts and instructions of the Holy Spirit? That actually can happen.
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. Acts 4:13-22
Honestly …most of the trouble I find myself in is because of … me. But there have been a few times the trouble I was in was from following the Lord’s commands. And it also was with the spiritual leaders who didn’t like what the Lord had me saying, because it hindered their ‘plans’ for acquiring more debt for the Church. But mostly the trouble I find myself in is because of not keeping the Holy Spirit conversation ongoing at all times, and I make bad decisions or react badly to a situation. This is a learning process. And now at my age would like to avoid as much trouble as I can – so I’m more vigilant in keeping the line open with the Holy Spirit.
I challenge you to discern WHY you have trouble. Ask the Holy Spirit if you missed His instructions to you. Lean in and listen to Him.
May the percentage of the times that you are in trouble grow less because you are listening MORE to the wisdom and instruction from the Holy Spirit.