There is not a lot of interest in being near trouble. We spend most of our lives trying to avoid trouble. Who has been completely successful at this endeavor? It is likely that no one has found complete success there.

How success is truly even measured in this area is not clear. No one completely escapes trouble, so any attempts to avoid “all” trouble is futile. Then again, how does one try to avoid “some” trouble, or even “most” trouble, without attempting to avoid “all” trouble?

We must look to our Savior for true answers. He alone came to save us from trouble. He doesn’t always rescue us from trouble, but He does rescue us from the consequences of trouble. His promise is that through Him, we have overcome the world. It’s important to note that the promise to overcome the world doesn’t come with a promise to avoid it, or its troubles. It only extends to enduring hardships and challenges with Him, while He leads us to its resolution through Him, instead of through ourselves.

Trouble is unavoidable. Resolution to trouble is not. Steering the boat while it is in troubled waters becomes every bit as important as trying to navigate around the obstacles and avoid them. In fact, if we were to follow the ways and commands of the Almighty, we would see that His directives help us to chart a course, which steers us free of many of the hazards of life.

Another valuable asset in these troubled seas is to have a good crew. Whenever the storms and hazards do appear, it’s good to know that you’re travelling with a competent crew who is willing to jump right in there and begin the process of minimizing the damages; saving the ship and getting her headed into the wind and toward smoother sailing. It is therefore wise to choose a likeminded crew who is willing to travel the course charted by God and willing to follow His directives on finding the route through the storms of life and on to the victory of having overcome.

Smooth sailing is the goal. Preparing the ship and crew beforehand are vital; but choosing the Captain and following His orders to the best of our ability are the surest and truest ways to avoid trouble whenever possible and when it is unavoidable, to find the most expeditious and beneficial route to safety.

May the wind be at your back, may your seas be ever calm and may you be blessed with a loving and faithful crew to see you through. Blessings!

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