Trouble You Need:

You may not have considered that some of the trouble, trials, and tribulations you experience are from Me. Sometimes I send people across your path to give you a hard time, because you need it. Don’t always assume that difficulties with people or situations in your life are a coincidence. Nothing happens in this world that I am not actively involved in.

King David was a sinner like all men, but he had a measure of wisdom about him that permitted his insight into things most people don’t understand. When Shimei came out cursing at David and throwing rocks at him, his officers, and soldiers—Abishai was angry and wanted to kill Shimei.

David wisely stopped Abishai, because he recognized that perhaps I had sent this adversary to throw rocks. It was David’s view that perhaps he needed this trouble in his life. David recognized My love and care and that Shimei was likely sent across his path to chasten him and keep him humble.

You see…I am there to help you in all your conquests and victories, as well as in hours of pain and trials. I am always speaking to you by every circumstance of your life.

Sometimes you need difficulties to allow you to see your pride or stubbornness. It may be that a particularly troublesome individual who comes along was sent by Me. How you react to these problem people, and what you do afterwards, will allow you to see your areas of weakness and what needs to change in your heart.

I am always teaching you through every circumstance of your life. Learn what is necessary when these trials come along, and you won’t have to repeat them again.

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”

“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!” “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! Perhaps the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?” ~2 Samuel 16:5-10 (NLT)

I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. ~Isaiah 45:6-7 (NLT)

Have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”…For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ~Hebrews 12:5-11 (RCR)

Lord, I am not sure that I like the instruction You gave me today. I always imagined that You would look out for me and protect me from people like You described.

I never imagined that You might send difficult people into my life for instruction. It certainly makes sense now that I think about it. When I pray for patience, You send me a person who tests my patience. I have met some very difficult people in my life, and there was a lesson in many of these encounters.

What I do understand is that You know exactly what I need in my life in order to get me to the place of growth You desire. I know that, whatever happens in my life, You permit these things because You love me and want to teach me.

I have read about some of the trouble You had with difficult people, and I saw how You handled these situations. Sometimes You said nothing; other times You spoke a word of scripture. Never did You seek to argue or win a point.

You learned obedience to the Father’s will by the things You suffered, Jesus. Though You are the Son of God, You were required, as our Savior, to experience people who attack, mock, rebuke, and discourage.

Help me, Lord, when I must deal with these types of people and difficult situations. Help me to learn what needs to change inside me. Help me grow in my knowledge of You and how to get along with those You send into my life to teach me.

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Categories: Daily Devotional, To Love Jesus

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