Joy in troubled

When you hear the expression, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptation, what comes to your mind?  I use to joke that the person who said that has not lived in Nigeria. But if the truth were to be told, the whole world is feeling this trouble but as people of the kingdom, we take trouble differently. 

In Roman:5:3 the Apostle Paul has something important to say about trouble. 

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience". (Rom.5.3) 

He says we glory in tribulation. Similar to what James said - count it all joy - but why should we rejoice in tribulation? He says, knowing... - hold it. Knowing what? What you know in trouble makes all the difference. He says knowing that the purpose of the tribulation is working into me the virtue of patience. So what do you know about the troubles that trouble you? 

"and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!-taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble". (1Thess.1.6) 

In our text the Apostle Paul says imitating us, you imitated the Master. Do not follow anyone who isn't following the Master. If s/he is not pointing you to Christ Jesus, s/he is pointing you in the wrong direction. 

Great trouble accompanied the Word - the word of God instigates tribulation. Mark tells us that tribulation arises for the word's sake (see Mark:4:13) Here it says great trouble accompanied the word. But this is the catch:

It says they were able to take great joy from the Holy Ghost. Despite the trouble. Wow!

I am reminded of the lyrics of a song: if you catch hell don't hold it, if you're going through hell don't stop. This is the posture: we take the trouble with great joy and great joy with trouble. Any flip of the coin - heads or tail we do not lose our joy. Because the joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy in trouble 

Good day,
And have a great day today,
EmmA (aka Mr. Lift)
@Liftemma

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