Sabbath: Little Times of Trouble
Read for This Week’s Study: Matt. 7:5; Eph. 1:7; Phil. 2:4-8; Eph. 4:26-27; James 1:19-20; Col. 3:19; Matt. 7:12.
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Memory Text: “Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26, NKJV).
Even the best of homes will face times of struggle, times of conflict. It’s just one of the facts of life in a fallen world. Simple things, such as whose turn it is to take out the trash, or whether your teenage daughter finished her homework, or your son has done his chores, are bothersome but relatively minor issues that can, generally, be resolved with minimal disruption. But other issues can threaten to disrupt family life. The mother-in-law whose abuse and manipulation threatens to destroy a woman’s marriage and her health; the father with mental illness who abuses his children; the son who abandons all his religious upbringing to give himself to a promiscuous lifestyle; or the daughter who becomes a substance abuser.
Repeatedly in the New Testament we are told to love one another (John 13:34, Rom. 12:10), to live in peace and harmony with one another (Rom. 15:5, Heb. 12:14), to be patient, kind, and tenderhearted toward one another (1 Cor. 13:4), to consider others before ourselves (Phil. 2:3), and to bear one another’s burdens (Eph. 4:2). Of course, all this is easier said than done, even with our own family members. In this lesson, we will look at some ways to help mollify little times of trouble, especially in the family.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 8.
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Little Times of Trouble
James 1:14
14You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Life can feel endless at times, but the Bible reminds us that, compared to eternity, an individual life on earth is like a vapor chased away by the morning sun. It is important to recognize the brevity of life so that we don’t squander the time we’ve been given.
Genesis 47
7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed[a] Pharaoh, 8 Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?”
9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” 10 Then Jacob blessed[b] Pharaoh and went out from his presence.
Two things Jacob states here in his reply, few and difficult.
What would you do different if you discovered you have terminal illness?
Why not change your priority today.
Our prayer every morning can be, “Lord, thank you for another day. May I do something today that will have eternal significance.”
Many people reading this message are going through hard times right now. I wish it were not so, but it is true. In the last few days, I’ve heard about prodigal children, aging parents, worries about the future, divorce, breast cancer, an infant with a serious medical condition, children far from God, Christians dealing with doubt, others with fear, and still others dealing with lingering bitterness.
There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity
As I thought about the matter, I concluded that even if I had the power (which I don’t), I wouldn’t take the pain away or make the hard times disappear. God has ordained that your trials are part of his plan to make you like Jesus. There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. Were I to take away the pain, I might move too soon and block God’s work in your life. Because I see things from a human perspective, I might actually hurt you instead of helping you even though my motives would be good.
“He knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). You can have an easy life, or you can have a deep faith. You can't have both. There is no gold without the fiery furnace.
Fear not, Christian friend
Our hard times are designed to bring us closer to the Lord. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Let us therefore endure our trials with grace and courage, knowing that in the end the clouds will part and the sun will shine again.
Fear not, Christian friend. We have a great God who loves us more than we know. Look to Jesus and you will find the strength you need. When your trials are over, you will come forth as gold!
Little Times of Trouble. I have always been amazed and challenged by Paul's words: "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..." When we think of Paul's experience with beating, stonings, etc. it is a remarkable statement. The answer to how he achieved such an incredible mindset is found in what he had his mind set upon: "as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Cor. 4:17-18) Paul lived this.
While in prison in Philippi he and Silas sang at midnight under duress (having been beaten, probably locked in stocks, etc.). I suggest they could do so because they were already free in Christ. Paul just viewed the hardships through the glasses of eternal glory. It took the edge of hardship and pain off. Encouraging.
Living with a 20 year old daughter who's in the Church, but not in Christ really. Wants tattoos, draws them with black ink, wants to wear all kinds of jewelry. Go to movies of all kinds. Trying not to be provoked. She's 20, but has the mentality of a 14 to 15 year old. Hangs out with older girl. Tells us she can make her own decisions now. But in my heart We know if she goes to far I'm not sure what will happen. Never had a date. A good girl. Just needs Jesus. Always attends Church. Goes to a Christian SDA ACADEMY TO get High School Diploma. She is adopted. My Great Niece. Need prayers. My son is 55 and no longer in the Church. Prayer for him too.
Mom
Your story tore my heart
As family we will pray for ypurs
Jeannette thank-you for sharing your personal trials with us. Speaking for our ssnet blog community our prays are for you. I really find the words of today’s lesson, and the words of Josiah, Newbegain, and Kevin’s above, as solace for little times of trouble.
Maybe it is just something that seems to be true: “little times of trouble” group together to beat down hope. And when hope is gone, this earth is a very dark place. A friend of mine got himself into trouble financially, and now he is paying it back. It will take five years and he has just started on year number three. His life is very austere and a grind. He started smoking again and was struggling with depression. He is in a sense a debt slave.
God brought to my mind the principle of kinsman redeemer, that is, if someone sold himself into slavery to pay his debts, it was the obligation of his kinsman redeemer to buy him back to free him from slavery. I am not rich, so I could not pay all his debt, but I offered to pay some of it. He was incredulous when I asked him to let me know how to do this and asked me why. So I explained about the kinsman redeemer and how Jesus is our kinsman redeemer who rescued us from slavery to sin and bondage to Devil.
He got the details from his financial company and gave them to me. The amount I paid was just a token, but I can see that it awakened hope in this man. He felt completely alone facing his “time of trouble” and this token of care renewed his hope that Christ cares for him. It was joy to see his hope awakened.
Richard Ferguson, thanks for sharing what you did to re-awaken hope in another. It will motivate me today. God bless!
Brother Richard Ferguson, your story has deeply pierced my heart. That little actions of mercy and love can save a friend from depression cannot be gain said. May God bless and reward you for being a "kinsman redeemer" This is what James calls true religion!
Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"