Faith & Insight: Finding strength in trouble and worry

“Trouble ... trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble,

Trouble been doggin’ my soul since the day I was born,

Worry ... worry, worry, worry, worry,

Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone ...”

Many would call Ray Lamontagne’s song of 2004 the anthem of the 21st century.

All of us have gone through troubles and worries that have sometimes shaken our souls. Illness, relationships, finances, heartache and depression have brought us misery and brokenness. Welcome to the real world!

A person can be destroyed by such or can decide to thrive because of it. The apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Troubles and worries don’t have to be devastating! They’re a part of life, but through God are being used to shape us into his image!

I’m also strengthened greatly by God’s eternal promise to those who are His.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” — Rev 21:4.

I can’t wait! Until then, hang in there! Churches of Carson City are here to help!

Bruce Henderson is minister of Airport Road Church of Christ.