No matter how careful we are or how much we plan, no matter how much we have strategized our way toward a good life, no matter how hard we have worked to be healthy, wealthy, comfortable with friends and family, or successful with our career, trouble will always come along to mess everything up. In this world you will have trouble. Of all the promises that Jesus makes to us that has got be my least favorite, but it is nevertheless a promise. God had one son on earth without sin, but He never had one without suffering. Not even Jesus was spared from trouble. Because suffering is so universal to the human experience, and also unavoidable people will not be prepared or able to rejoice in suffering unless they experience a massive biblical revolution in the way that they think and feel about the troubles they encounter.

I hope you would listen as we examine Jesus’ words meant to keep us from falling away and to give us peace in these trouble-filled days while we wait for his return.