TROUBLE

Definition:

Trouble is a state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need: also, a distressing or difficult circumstance or situation.  It can also be seen as effort, especially when inconvenient or bothersome, and which could cause a condition of pain, disease, or malfunction.

Brief Explanation:

“Nobody knows, the trouble I seen, nobody knows, but Jesus.” The old Negro spiritual presents a powerful truth about the lives of people coming for counseling. It is true, that everyone’s troubles are uniquely theirs, but usually they are similar to others.

People often ask when trouble comes, why me? Well, why not you or me? Trouble comes…Jesus put it, in this world you will have trouble…take courage, I have overcome the world. Perhaps we could say that was easy for Jesus to say, but in fact, to overcome troubles takes courage, something often lacking in the client, and must be lent for a season by the counselor.

A counselor motivates the counselee to face the trouble they have head on, but not alone. We then help to trace the troubles to the point of origin, learn what we can about them, repent for sin and admit responsibility as needed, erase the trouble by our repentance (a change of thinking leading to a change in lifestyle) and hopefully replace the troubles with new choices that are more functional and effective.

The truth is, troubles come, and troubles go…it is better when they go.

The Word of God:

Psalm 9:9

“The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of trouble…”

Psalm 27:5

“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”

Psalm 31:7,9

“I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul…”

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 18:2,3

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”