When trouble comes, what do you do?  Trouble is part of life. It’s not a matter of IF, it’s a matter of WHEN trouble comes. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble”. (John 16:33) So, that means we need to be prepared when we encounter trouble in our life. We need a plan and strategy that’s in place and ready to be followed whenever we encounter trouble in our life.  Here are some key principles and insights to help you be prepared.

3 Major Truths

First, there are three important foundational truths that need to be established in your heart and mind –

1. God is not your problem. He is not causing the trouble in your life. Don’t blame God. God is for you! (Rom. 8:31)
2. Don’t allow yourself to become a victim. You are a “victor” not a victim no matter what the cause of your problem is. There is no condemnation for those in Christ. You are an over comer! (Rom. 8:1,37)
3. God is a restorer. If you follow the steps below – not only will God restore – but He will give you “DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE” God is a restorer! (Joel 2:25)

So, what do we need to do when trouble comes? Psalms 46 tells us what to do when trouble comes. It gives us 4 things we can do.  Verse 1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”

When Trouble Comes – Do these 4 things

1. Run to God. When trouble comes often people blame God and end up running from God. Others try to depend on their own ability, their money, the government, or others for help. None of these are an “ever present help in time of trouble”. It is not the economy that gives us our strength. It’s not our wisdom, appearance, or ability that gives us the help we need.  The only real source of help is God! He is the one who provides us with a place to run, a place to hide, and a place of strength. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe”. The first strategy in our plan for trouble is to immediately run to God.

Psalms 46:3 tells us, “Therefore we will not fear,..”

2. Fear Not. Fear steals your faith and joy. Joy is your strength and faith is your victory. When trouble comes you must NOT FEAR. “God has not given you a spirit of fear” (2Timothy 1:7) Make up your mind not to be overwhelmed by fear even if “the earth be removed, and the mountains are carried into the sea. Even if the waters roar and are troubled. Even if the mountains are shaking”. (vs. 3-4)  You are not going to fear – why? Because God is your refuge and strength a very present help! Trust the Lord – fear not – He is a very present help. If fear knocks on your door – answer it with faith and fear will disappear.

The next thing to take note of is verse 8, It says, “Look at the powerful things the Lord has done. See the awesome things he has done on earth.”

3. Remember What the Lord has Done. Remind yourself of how God has brought you through in the past. Remember the times when you didn’t know what to do, and God helped you. Remind yourself of the times you felt hopeless, but God showed up to restore hope in your soul. Remember when it felt like no one cared, then God gently reminded you how much He cares and loves you. God will not let you down this time either. He is an EVER present help.

The last thing to include in your plan for trouble comes from verse 4 it says, “God sends a River of blessing to His people…”.

God Will Give You Double for your Trouble

4. Expect God to Restore. Whatever the enemy has tried to take away from you, God wants to restore it. God wants to make it better than before. In fact God will give you “DOUBLE FOR YOUR TROUBLE”. In Zechariah 9:12 God’s says, “Return to your fortress, you captives who have hope. Today I tell you that I will return to you DOUBLE blessings.” God will send rivers of blessing into your life. As you run to God and take refuge in Him expect things to turn around. Expect God to restore.

In Joel 2:25 God declares, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.”  God is a restorer!

In the book of Job we read how God restored all that Job lost two fold. Job received double for the trouble he went through – 7,000 sheep to 14,000 sheep, 3,000 camels to 6,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen to 1,000 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys to 1,000 female donkeys. (Job 42:12-15)

If you are facing trouble today or going through a time of adversity, remember, it’s always darkest just before it turns light. God is faithful. Get ready – things are getting brighter. As you stay in faith and are obedient to His Word, you’ll receive double for your trouble and see His promises come to pass! Expect God to restore.

When trouble comes – what do you do? Run to God, Fear Not, Remember What the Lord has done, and expect God to restore double. Get ready for God to give you DOUBLE for your Trouble!

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