No More Troubles
NO MORE TROUBLES
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.
The man on TV waved his arms. “Do you have health problems? Problems with money? Family problems? To get rid of your troubles, just follow Jesus!” he shouted.
Turning off the TV, Alexis went outside. She looked up when she heard the tap of a cane. It was old Mrs. Koning, who could see only dimly. Alexis skipped up to her and put her small hand in the old lady’s wrinkled hand.
“Guess what! I heard a preacher on TV say you’ll have no troubles if you follow Jesus.”
Mrs. Koning smiled. “I do follow Jesus.”
“Then why doesn’t God help you see again?” asked Alexis.
“God is powerful enough to make people see. But He never promised that all my troubles would go away because I follow Jesus. Instead, He promised He’d be with me in times of trouble, take care of all my needs, and be my friend.”
“But the preacher said you could be well,” said Alexis, “and rich, too—if you trust Jesus.”
“In a way, he is right,” said Mrs. Koning, squeezing Alexis’s hand. “My sins are gone, so my soul is healthy. And I’m rich in love for God and others. Never try to use Christianity as a way to make life easy,” she advised. “Christians have troubles too. But they have God to help them get through those troubles.”
“I see,” said Alexis. “Following Jesus does make you healthy and rich—but not in the way you might think at first.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you gotten the idea that God wants all Christians to have lots of money, beautiful clothes, and perfect health? This may be God’s plan for you. Or it may be His plan that, through troubles, you will come to know Him in a special way. God knows what you need to best serve Him.
TO MEMORIZE:
[The Lord] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
GROW THROUGH TROUBLE.
From the book
