You and I will face troubles, trials, and life issues. There is simply no way around these difficulties but there is a way through them. The way through trial, temptation and stress is not some infomercial gadget or guru. The way through life's difficulties is having the attitude of Jesus Christ ... an attitude of victory no matter what the circumstance.

 

I am surprised at myself when I face life issues and they don't knock me out. I am surprised because I know that in my flesh no good thing dwells (Romans 7:18) so when I react appropriately it must be God. On these occasions, I am thankful and amazed that God intervenes and by His Spirit changes my attitude to match His ... an attitude that recognizes and walks in ultimate and current victory!

 

 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 

 

If you notice the attitude of Jesus when trouble came His way it was one of victory. Jesus, our King and Savior, always had an attitude of victory. It was evident in the desert of temptation when He spoke the Word in response to the devils temptations. He had an attitude of victory before His opponents when they mocked, jailed and beat Him. He had an attitude of victory in the Garden the night before the cross. And, He had an attitude of victory on the cross when He humbly submitted to God's great plan of salvation.

 

A carefree life has not been promised to anyone. In fact, we know that our growth depends on trials and temptations (James 1). In response to trials and temptations, followers of Jesus are to grow through the trial by having the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ is a mind that is focused on a positive mental construct that sees victory in every situation. We are actually to be the people that have this "positive mental attitude" down.

 

I know life is hard. I know we cry, lose, fall and hurt. Still, God is calling His people to victory. When Jesus declared in John 10:10 that He came "to give life and life more abundantly" He wasn't speaking of a no-pain existence. No, Jesus was speaking this truth in direct opposition to the devil's plans to "kill, steal and destroy". Our solution is completely wrapped in the attitude we bring to each situation including death, destruction and theft! Look forward! Look to Heaven! Look to Jesus! He is our victory and in Him alone do we find meaning and hope through the "trouble the day brings".