Interpreting Troubles

One of the great temptations, when encountering trouble either in our lives or someone else's, is to try to interpret it. Now there are some cases where this is possible, and our troubles are a correction for our behavior (Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32; 2 Corinthians 12:7). But more often then not, there is no correction involved and it is a mistake to look for it (Job 1, 2; John 9:1-3; Hebrews 11:35-38). Rather, we should trust God to bring us through, even if we do not understand it (2 Corinthians 4:17.18; John 16:33; Romans 8:18). For if the reason is not clear, trying to come up with some kind of explanation generally only makes the situation worse. And it is by resting in God, rather than by knowing the answers, that we can best deal with the situation (Proverbs 3:5,6; Psalms 46:10; Isaiah 40:31).