Jesus faced troubles on the time he spent on this Earth. Now we don’t become more like Christ by simply going through troubles, but if we learn to react to those troubles as Jesus did, then God will use those troubles to transform us. Let’s see how Jesus responded to trouble …
Toward the end of his life after he had been falsely accused, rejected, and mistreated, he was preparing for his biggest challenge and that is going to the Cross … Prior to facing that ultimate challenge, he prayed the following …
36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Mark 14:36 NLT
Do you know what the phrase … “Abba Father” means? The word Abba can be translated … Daddy … Jesus in the midst of trouble and hardship turned to His Father putting his trust in the Father, the way that a small child puts their trust in their Daddy!
You know I love being a Daddy, but it has been along time since one of my kids called me Daddy. I kind of liked being Daddy that was a great time in life … when my kids were younger, because they laughed at my jokes, they thought I knew everything, and they trusted me completely. At that age, they would jump off the side of the pool into my arms, or off the side of a porch, because they trusted Daddy.
So the next time life is real tough (trouble, hardship, or suffering) … instead of asking: Why Me? And falling into a Pity Party … Remember you have Father in Heaven whom Jesus taught us by example to say … Daddy … Instead of asking “Why Me,” ask, “How can I more completely surrender my life to God, My Father … My Daddy in Heaven” – so He can use this trouble (work it toward good) to make me more like Christ!!” Do you trust your Heavenly Daddy? Do you trust that even the troubles of this life can be used by God to develop our character to become more like Christ?
Remember: “God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.” (Rick Warren; page 173; PDL)
About Me
- Roger Hendricks
- My family has lived in Springboro, Ohio for the past 14 years. Although my wife and I are both from Indiana, we (along with our three children) now consider Springboro our home. I have the privilege of serving as the Senior Minister of the Southwest Church in Springboro. During my time with the church, I have learned a lot about growing with others in a community of faith and continuing to seek God's lead and direction. Although I have much to learn, I am eager to help others seek God and to experience an authentic personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Along with my past experience of serving on various ministry staffs of churches in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, I have a Mathematics Education Degree from Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN) and a Theology Degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis (next door to Butler University). I am excited about this web site and the potential it provides to help people seek God! (www.SeekingGodinBoro.com)
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