Do Not Be Surprised When Troubles Arise: Keep Your Eyes Fixed On Jesus

Believers in Jesus are delivered from the curse of sin but appointed to the cross – just as our Master. And we are to walk as He walked. Outward afflictions can certainly be heavy and fall hard upon us - one right after another - quite literally taking our breath away - as in Job’s case. And inward afflictions can often be even more painful than those of the physical body as the Bible teaches us in Proverbs 18:14B (NIV): “A crushed spirit who can bear?” Who, indeed? It is not unusual, however, for both to come upon us simultaneously, bearing down hard upon our spirits – like a pelting rain that will not relent – leaving us breathless but not in a good way. Look up. As Peter finally did when he began to sink in the water when his eyes became fixed upon the wind and the waves instead of the Lord.
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” We are to fix our focus on the Lord Jesus. Take hold of Him in believing faith that He’s got this, even this. And He is working all things out for our good and His glory – one never surpassing the other. It is He Who provides us with the strength to make it through. And not only to make it through, but make it through with excellence and even joy which is unearthly in its nature as well as a permeating peace that only He can provide. Indeed, He enables us, through His power, to go from “strength to strength” as we pass through our Valleys of Baca (tears).  
It does us well to remember God will never allow anything that is not ultimately for our good, albeit He will allow things far beyond our ability to endure. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NIV): “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” Believers are to rely and rest secure in Him. No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless - not perfect – rather, blameless.