Don’t Trouble Me
Okay…having spent a few decades in Texas I can tell you there are few places I know where people have any stronger attitude than Texans. And, having been over a dozen years in Alaska, I can almost say the same about Alaskans… But every state has an attitude of which they are proud of. Missouri is known for their “Show me” attitude. New Hampshire simply say, “Live free or die“…. Texans simply say, “Don’t mess with Texas” and they generally add, “That starts with me!” As in, “…you can have my gun when they unwrap my cold dead fingers from around it…”
There is pride in our identity…our roots…and generally in what we are taught when we are in the young and learning mode. It's our DNA! Share on XOkay… So you know that the meaning of the word “Texas” is simply Friendship, but you can still walk a tough stance even if you’re friendly! But if you want a big whopping $1,000.00 fine? Get caught throwing trash on the roadways after they’ve told you, “Don’t Mess With Texas!”
Still, the roots of Texas politics and training has a certain ring to my ear and I know it to be true. Last week, several conversations with various family members reminded me of the strength of the Texan voice. “Mess with my family? Watch out!” and “I’m from Texas where a man’s word is better than a handshake.”
We all face times when it seems everything around us is creating trouble for our daily existence. There Is something about learning how to stand up for yourself when trouble comes.
Some believe that a tantrum is a way to respond, while others sneak about to get even…
Some want a fight, Earps and the Clancy’s at the OK Corral.
Still, others know that to fight well you have to have a bigger stick than the other guy.
But what happens when you feel like you’re in the biggest battle by yourself. You look left, right, and behind…
Who will help?
I’ve heard there are 3 types of people in your life.
- Those that helped you in your difficult times.
- Those that left you during your difficult times.
- Those that caused your difficult times.
Bottom line? You always have difficult times. Some help. Some leave. Some cause. Which number are you?
“It does pretty much sum it up. Except I would say there is a fourth group…those who stand by the sidelines. Such people must be weighed as never having true friend potential.” ~@Rev Brian Norman
You must learn to define your stance, know what you believe in, and stand up to the problem! Draw a Line in the sand…put ‘em up (cowardly lion) even when you are scared of everything around you!
This auspicious thought comes from a God pointed view that deals with the prison epistles of the Apostle Paul.
It has nothing to do with the lesson series recently on Wednesday night… But Paul has had enough as he closes out his writing to the saints at Galatia… He unequivocally states his case to the point it made me wonder which state motto fit him the best. (Either Paul was from Texas, or a lot of Texans were tutored under Paul’s ministry!)
Don’t mess with me, he says! I’ve proved myself and you can find the referrals from the marks I carry in my body…
Undoubtedly, some were throwing rocks at his glass house. He had nothing to hide, and was tired of defending himself against the barbs that forever seemed to come his way…
“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” ~(Galatians 6:17 NKJV)
You cannot successfully tell people to leave you alone if your life does not match up to your words! Do not hide your troubles unless you are a constant failure… Feel free to speak them out so others can learn from you!
“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen…nobody but Jesus!”
Not quite true in Paul’s case. He has shared his testimony numerous times, but his way and style of fighting back have a different approach.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” ~(2 Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV)
Think about it with me for a moment.
We see people march in the streets, stand in front of abortion clinics, storm the ball games and do all kind of “in your face” reactions.
But Paul says the weapons we use are not carnal…
But they are mighty through God…
Pulling DOWN strongholds!
Casting DOWN imaginations and arguments!
Standing UP against all the things that exalt itself against the knowledge of God.
You see…
When trouble is in my way
I can’t tell my night from day
When I’m tossed from side to side
Like a ship on a raging tide
I don’t worry, I don’t fret
My God has never failed me yet
Troubles come from time to time
But that’s all right,
I’m not the worrying kind because
Why????
I’ve got confidence
God is gonna see me through
No matter what the case may be
I know He’s gonna fix it for me
[Words & music by Andrea Crouch]
But Pastor… You don’t know what I’m dealing with…
True. But I do not need to know your circumstances to figure out how the Word would suggest you deal with your problems… Brother Paul… How do you respond?
“Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.” ~(2 Corinthians 11:22-30 NKJV)
I’m not sure what his personality was like, but I suspect he could hold his own against all comers!
“Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.” ~(1 Corinthians 9:26 NKJV)
How do you example this to someone younger, or newer in the Lord…. Paul had Timothy who was about 15 at the beginning of their connection, and probably around 35 at the ending before Paul faced his tormentors.
At the ending of his first letter Paul admonishes…
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” ~(1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV)
You have to teach with your examples! Lead by example… Elders! Speak it. Teach it. Example it.
“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” ~(Philippians 4:9 NKJV)
How did Paul say it right before he left for his heavenly reward…
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” ~(2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)
I’m reaching this point in my life where I feel I’ve proved all I need to prove to whoever needs it to be proven… I stand before my King and utter to the world… “Don’t trouble me…”