Tribulation

Tribulation
by Pete Berardi

The word tribulation occurs twenty-six times in The Bible if we include tribulations as a form of the word. By definition, the word means trouble or annoying or catastrophic events. Common sense might teach us that tribulation, along with being avoided, is a mighty bad thing. I for one have had somewhat of the same notion. The Bible discusses this word, what it is, and how we are to react to it and think about it. Consider these verses.

John 16:33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Trials and tribulations come from the world. Jesus is telling us here that because of our faith in him, we can have peace regardless of the tribulations that we have. If we keep our eyes on the big picture, we can then work through the times of tribulation. Jesus has overcome the world and in the end we will have victory over pain, sin and death.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Paul goes on in verses four and five to describe how patience creates experience, experience creates hope and hope makes us unashamed. Tribulation is a means to an end. Through understanding that Jesus will deliver us from tribulations, we have patience. This patience gives us the experience and character that is the mind of Christ. This mind of Christ keeps our eyes on the “blessed hope” Titus 2:13. And if we are focused on this, we will not let anything, including tribulations, cause us to be ashamed of our faith or Christ or The Bible.

The first appearance of the word tribulation occurs in Deuteronomy 4:30-31 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

God was teaching the Israelites that for relief from these tribulations they should turn to him. He will not forsake them and not forget the covenant that he has with them and will deliver them. We should follow the same example. We, in a sense, should embrace our tribulations because it brings us closer to God.