Sometimes we know why trouble has come. A lady in a hospital bed once said to me, “I know why I’m here.”

Trouble may come as a result of God’s love and concern for us. Many will be in heaven because trouble enabled them to see the real issues of life more clearly. When their eyes had been washed with tears, they saw the folly of living without Christ and the emptiness of worldly gain or pleasure. A time of trouble became a signpost for heaven.

Trouble may come to a Christian because he is not living in the will of God: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Hebrews 12:6, 7). A professing Christian who seems to continue to get away with sin should examine himself to see if he is in the faith,

Trouble may come because God has a special purpose for it. Jesus met a man who had been born blind and His disciples thought the man’s trouble was the result of some sin that he or his parents had committed. But Jesus told them that the blind man’s trouble was not the result of his sins or the sins of his parents (John 9:3). His blindness was for the glory of God. Jesus restored his sight.

Trouble may come as an attack from Satan. That was the source of Job’s trouble. He had not been presumptuous or backslidden. His trouble was an attack from the enemy.

We must be careful not to judge others in their times of trouble. If trouble comes to us because of sin, God will let us know so that we can confess it and be forgiven. Trouble that is not easily explained should be entrusted to the Lord.

His grace is sufficient for all!