Hassles

<<irritations>>

Some annoying stress-creating inconveniences are preventable, by forethought and planning, or reduced by gaining more experience, while others are an unavoidable part of life. However, all are an opportunity for us to allow the outworking of God’s grace as we display the fruit of the Spirit and develop Godly character (Gal 5:22,23). Trials give us an opportunity to experience the love of God because He has permitted these challenges in love (Rom 8:28). We know He loves and desires the best for us in theory but in the heat of the battle, we must work this out in our experience through our attitudes, words and reactions. Satan sees when we are under pressure and most vulnerable to temptation with the greatest likelihood of making unwise choices. Hassles always seem to come at the most inappropriate time, and as they interupt our plans our self is not ministered to robbing us of peace.

Paul had his share of life challenges, being “hard-pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed
but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8).

Don’t dwell on what is against but who is for you, confident that He is greater than who is against you (Rom 8:31; 1 Jn 4:4). Jesus is walking with you through this (Heb 13:5). In humility call unto Him for

When hassled do I turn to or from God?

His help, ‘I can’t do this alone’. Have a confident belief that it is all working together for your ultimate good, which may only be revealed in eternity. “Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial” (Jas 1:12). We must recognize that the hassles we encounter are there to grow us closer to the Lord and to prepare us for what else might come in our future.

Non-believers have hassles too, which should drive them to discover Jesus, the meaning of life.