Five Spiritual Guidelines for Troubling Times

Jesus never promised us an easy life. He did promise to be with us. Listen carefully to these words of Jesus. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation [trouble]; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

How do we deal with the trouble of this world? Consider the next five points:

1) Equip Ourselves with Spiritual Strength
We need to strive to strengthen our spiritual lives. There are two great spiritual disciplines that work in peace or trouble. One is the study the Word of God and the second is to be consistent in our prayer life. Consistency is these disciplines will help to keep our our minds clear and our souls clean.

2) Keep Our Emotions in Check
Disagreements and arguments can cause emotions to boil. Emotions unleashed usually never end well. Logic usually flies out the window when we get overly emotional about something.

Our emotions need a parameter and the best boundary is the truth of God’s Word and the constraining power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has kept me out of trouble more than a few times.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption./ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:30-31 NKJV).

3) Don’t Be Easily Offended
People are so easily offended these days. Not just on national stages but even in our personal interactions. We all have friends or co-workers with whom we must “walk on eggshells”. This becomes very wearisome and after a while most people just try to avoid them.

Many people say things they think is benign, but others are offended by it. I have done that many times. I had no thought or intent of hurting someone and found out later they were offended. I have also been on the other end of that. My feelings were hurt and after some time I realized they had not intended it the way I took it.

I wished we were as quick to forgive as we are to be offended.

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV).

4) This World is not Our Home
I try to remind myself often that this world is not my home. Everything here we bought with sweat will one day turn to dust or vapor.

Since I am a follower of Jesus; His Kingdom is my eternal residence. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here’” (John 18:36 NKJV).

5) Continue to Love God and Love Your Neighbor
The two great standards of life are: to love God and to love others. If you can’t do those two things you have a problem that money, society, education, or legislation will not fix. Repent and surrender to God and allow Him to transform your life. This is what I preach to myself and to all.

“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’/ This is the first and great commandment./ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself./ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV).

Love your neighbor by reaching out to someone. There is something refreshing about helping and serving others. There is a reciprocal blessing that comes back to those who are a blessing to others. When we serve others, we manifest the image of Jesus.

This world has always had troubles and it will always have troubles. We all need to do what we can to be the change agent. Transformation of a community or a people begins and ends in the hearts of people. My circle of influence begins with me. If I want something to change, I start with me. Hopefully, it will be contagious to others.

Yours on the Journey,

Harry L. Whitt