Between a Rock and a Hard Place

“Opportunity’s favorite disguise is trouble.” -Frank Tyger

Trouble: between a rock and a hard place, when life isn’t the way it is supposed to be. Ever been there? It’s been said that there are only three types of people, those who have just come out of trouble, are in the middle of trouble, or, are somewhere down the road, headed into trouble. Life’s like that.

The children of Israel experienced times of great heartache and trouble. Granted, most often it was brought on by their own actions. Invariably however, these times became opportunities for God to teach His people to trust their true King. Psalm 46 is actually a song to be sung to God in times of trouble. Within it we find amazing expressions of opportunity.

Our responsibility? Press in to God. Vs. 1 declares that “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”(NASV). In an emergency we “dial” 911. In times of trouble we can “dial” Psalm 91:1. When we dwell in the shelter of God, we will abide in His shadow. A place of refuge. And God is not just present. He is very present. The closer a train gets, the louder it becomes. The greater the trouble, the “louder” the presence of God.

Rest and relax. As difficult as it may seem when you are being pounded by trouble, God wants you to “Be still” and know that He is God (vs. 10 KJ). Let go, drop your hands, let Him be who He is, GOD. Take the opportunity to watch Him do what you could never do in your own strength.

Our response to trouble?

Don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (vs. 2 NASV). No matter what happens, He is in the midst of it. And Paul reminds us “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). Trouble is an opportunity to draw near to God as He draws near to us, without fear.

Trouble. While you will probably never welcome it (me either), you will, over time, learn to embrace it as a window for opportunity.

Source:AACC