In the last series, we discovered how to confront troubles we get into for doing nothing God’s way. We learned God has promised to reward diligent seekers of His will. Therefore, even when we don’t understand what He’s doing we must not cast away our confidence in Him. God will visit us at the right time.

Today, we’ll learn two benefits of troubles we get into for doing nothing (if we confront them God’s way).

They Help Us Build A Relationship Of Trust With God

When we’re proactive for God’s sake and bear responsibility, we can learn to make proper use of our failures and weaknesses. God will, in turn, reveal His mysteries to us. Failures and weaknesses cause us to be humble, they instigate sincere inquiry. The whole process enhances our relationship with the Father, we learn more about Him and desire more of His presence in our lives.

After opening her womb, Hannah testified ‘‘My heart rejoices in the Lord, My horn is exalted in the Lord, I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation’’ (1 Samuel 2:1 NKJV). After Joseph became second in command in Egypt and saw his family once again, his relationship and trust in God were stronger than before. He told his brothers ‘‘God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance’’ (Genesis 45:7 NKJV).

They Teach Us Endurance So We Participate In The Sufferings Of Christ

Humans are full of boasting. Many times we fail to give God all the glory. Most of us harbor an illusionary belief that a perfect Christian life is void of suffering. So we desire material prosperity and long to follow the ways of the worldly.

These troubles come into our lives to remind us we live by grace through faith in Jesus. More importantly, we learn contentment and understand we need to be patient. We endure what it takes for God to be glorified in our lives.

There’s nothing of our own we can do to please God. ‘‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’’ (Romans 5:8 NKJV). Joseph’s brothers sold him to unknown people, his master wrongfully accused him and put in prison. He suffered in a far country, away from his family. But he was patient in his sufferings, continued to serve God and endured. He developed spiritually and received supernatural blessing from God.

The writer of Hebrews sums it all well: ‘‘Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise’’ (Hebrews 10:36 NKJV).

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In 3.1, we identified four main root-causes of troubles which come to us for doing nothing.

1. Refusal to be proactive
2. Refusing to be responsible
3. Oppression and suppression
4. And for some mysterious or unknown reasons

In 3.2, we learned when we suffer for doing nothing, it affects us in three main ways:

1. It causes dissatisfaction and unfulfillment
2. We’re forcefully afflicted
3. It increases our fears to be termed ‘a failure’

The way out depends on the type of root-cause and its effect on your life.

Refusal To Be Proactive

Let it be clear. You’ve got a role to play in building your life and society. God has His. You’ve got to play yours – sincerely. God has promised to play His – don’t try to help Him. Do only your part.

You can’t sit, fold your hands in laziness and expect mana to fall from heaven – we’re not reliving the Exodus. You’ve got to cast your bread upon many waters – sow if you expect a harvest. You’ve got to work with your hands. God has given you gifts. You need to exercise them. Don’t sit there, do nothing and play the blame game.

No, I’m not saying it’s by strength – not at all. But God rewards all those who diligently seek Him. Pick your bits and pieces, seek His face for wisdom, courageously follow His instructions, be patience, endure all associated trials and see Him change your life for the best.

Refusal To Be Responsible

I remind you once again – you have a responsibility. Don’t run away from it. Don’t see yourself as a grasshopper in front of your challenges. Yes, you may not know why you’re suffering. You may have exhausted all your resources and see no way out. But this is where the miracle originates. How else would God prove Himself in your life? Aren’t you in need of a testimony? Here’s the opportunity offered you.

Don’t even think a second the devil will relent. He wants you dead – it’s his mission – to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Get out of the illusionary comfort zone of yours. Be a man, be a woman, confront the situation – God has promised to take you through. You’ve got to take responsibility. You’ve got to take the bull by the horns. Get up and walk!

Oppression And Suppression

Don’t deceive yourself, dream of a better world – it’s fantasy. It’s only getting worse. There’ll always be rich oppressors. There’ll always be oppressed people. If you’re one of them, use it as a foundation for progress. Oh yes, I see – you’re asking – how?

Keep these four Godly words in mind – faith, wisdom, action and diligence. What do I mean?

Faith: ‘‘But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’’ (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV). Your faith in the Lord moves mountains – it causes God to act on your behalf. With God on your side, no challenge is big enough.

Wisdom: ‘‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him’’ (James 1:5, NKJV). There’s always a solution. You may not know it. It may take some time. But it’s there. Why don’t you approach God in faith and ask Him to reveal it to you?

Action: ‘‘What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?’’ (James 2:14, NKJV). You approached God by faith – He revealed some things you can do in the situation. It’s time to keep fear aside, take a step in the field. You’ll marvel at the supernatural doors which will open.

Diligence: Did God not say He’s a ‘‘rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?’’ (Hebrews 11:6). Yes, He did! Flee from all distractors – and please – focus. Focus on the goal, the promise, on Jesus – the Rewarder – the ‘‘Author and Finisher of our faith’’ (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV). Don’t look at the simplified version of it. It will not be easy. You must choose diligence and focus.

Mysterious And Unknown Reasons

I’ve got to pause a moment. A mystery can’t fully be understood. Our God is mysterious – this we know. Some challenges we face also have a mysterious nature. And I sincerely admit my limitations.

Infertility and childlessness, incurable diseases – the woman with the issue of blood, persistent single-hood, a strange character – name the rest. You’ve prayed, fasted and invested everything you could. Still, nothing happens. Who am I to tell you what to do? No, I don’t have such knowledge.

But let me give you two compatible Bible passages which bring peace and a solution in these situations:

‘‘Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise’’ (Hebrews 10:35-36, NKJV). Hope you get the message – accept to suffer for a while – resist – be patient – endure – persevere – and all that stuff. And in the process, continue to do God’s will – I know that’s not easy. Accept the insults, the injustice, what seems like a delay – but God has the last word in your life. This brings me to the second:

‘‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose’’ (Romans 8:28). Somehow, everything you’re going through is for your good. Don’t ask me to explain – I sincerely can’t. It’s a mystery. Have you done God’s will in the situation – expect the best end. Solomon says it beautifully ‘‘The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit’’ (Ecclesiastes 7:8, NKJV)

Are you suffering from doing nothing? Find out where your situation falls and get to work. No, please, don’t be indifferent. Don’t dwell long in your imaginary comfort zone. The devil won’t leave you alone. We’re called to overcome Him so God can reveal Himself through us.

In 3.1, we saw we get into these type of troubles by refusing to be proactive, running away from responsibility, through oppression and for unknown reasons.

Troubles we get into for doing nothing affect us in three main ways:

Dissatisfaction & Lack Of Fulfillment

‘‘The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water– And the fire never says, “Enough!” (Proverbs 30:16).

It’s frustrating, tiring, confusing and sometimes even devastating to suffer for an unknown reason. If you make a mistake and suffer for it, at least, you know the course of your suffering. If you preach the Gospel or live a godly lifestyle and are persecuted you understand you’re partaking in the sufferings of Christ. But when you go through a situation whose root causes you’re ignorant of, it’s a nightmare.

Let’s look into Sarah and Hannah’s cases. Both women couldn’t have children for long periods. In some communities, not being able to conceive a child is considered a curse. When we had our first daughter, one of my cousins congratulated me and said ‘‘Now you’re a man’’. Sounded really strange. Was I a woman before?

Today, we can come up with all sorts of arguments and reasons why Sarah and Hannah couldn’t have children. But if you put yourself in their shoes the moment they went through those situations you’ll keep your mouth shut. It’s not easy when you try and nothing happens. You pray, fast and follow the doctor’s advice to no avail. In these frustrating trials, some even seek help from charlatans.

The Bible says ‘‘…Sarai was barren; she had no child’’ (Genesis 11:30, NKJV). Who could tell her why she was barren? Hannah’s rival ‘‘provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb’’ (1 Samuel 1:6, NKJV). Learning about these situations from a Bible and having some insufficient reasons to justify their sufferings today is different from going through them yourself and not knowing why. For many years, these and other families endured hard times from not being able to have children.

Some don’t know why they can’t find a job despite being qualified. Others can’t explain why their leaders don’t fulfil their promises despite having sufficient resources. There’s a gap which needs to be filled. They’ve tried everything but can’t find answers. It creates dissatisfaction and unfulfillment.

Forced Affliction

Suffering from an unknown reason, oppression or refusing to be proactive and responsible cause us to be afflicted in many ways. When superpower nations oppress poor ones and steal their resources, it creates destitution in those weak countries. The cries from the DRC, Libya, Iraq, Syria and many conflict zones around the world are partly as a result of oppression.  

But some people go through certain sufferings for not being creative enough to utilize available resources to meet their needs. I was in a village in Africa. People live in patched and poorly maintained houses. When it rains, water leaks through holes on the roofs and causes inconveniences.  Most of these villagers use cement and sand blocks to erect walls. But all around the land where they live are the best species of wood in the world – mahogany, iroko, ebony, Sapele, etc. They utilize the precious wood mostly to cook food instead of transforming some of the species to build decent houses.

The Bible says ‘‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him’’ (James 1:5 NKJV). We can avoid some afflictions if we approach God to receive certain revelations on how to confront our challenges.

Fear Of Being Termed ‘Failure’

People who suffer for doing nothing often feel they’re failures. They think they aren’t worth. In some communities, this reaction originates from the attitudes and perceptions others have about their situation. It may not be your fault you couldn’t find a decent job at the moment. But others may fill you’re lazy, non-proactive or not trying enough.

In some communities, couples without children are disrespected by some. Those arrogant community members with children speak proudly about their achievements creating unease and generating a sense of failure among those who don’t. It’s possible Hannah and Sarah saw themselves as failures in their barren states among their rivals.

‘‘Do not call me Naomi’’ Naomi said ‘‘call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty’’ (Ruth 1:20-21, NKJV). Naomi felt she was a failure for losing her family in Moab and returned to Israel empty.

In 3.3, we’ll discover how to get out of these troubles God’s way.

In Series 1, we discovered we can get into certain troubles for doing the wrong things and it’s known as Rebellion in God’s eyes. In Series 2, we learned one can also get into serious troubles for doing the right things and it’s known as Persecution. We also discovered no true believer can escape persecution – it’s always attached to God’s blessings. Most important, we discovered ways to confront Rebellion and Persecution and their benefits if we approach them God’s way.

Series 3 deals with the last way we get into troubles – For Doing Nothing. We’ll consider the following:

• How we get into troubles for doing nothing (Series 3.1)
• How these troubles affect us (Series 3.2)
• How we get out of them God’s way (3.3)
• And How they benefit us if we approach them God’s way (Series 3.4)

begin with 3.1 – How we get into troubles for doing nothing

It’s as simple as it reads – you do nothing and troubles come your way. But it’s complex when you consider the context – you’re probably not doing certain things you ought to do or refusing to take responsibility. But sometimes it can also be from oppression and unknown reasons.

Below are the most common ways people suffer for doing nothing:

Refusing To Be Proactive

If we don’t work, we don’t get food. If we don’t plant, we can’t harvest. If we don’t invest, we can’t reap. But some people want to eat without working. Others desire great harvests without planting. And many desire all sorts of blessings yet haven’t invested a single resource.

No, life isn’t about works – it’s more about grace. But grace makes more sense if we trust God to accomplish certain works. The life of Jesus on earth was filled with acts. The apostles were hard-working people. God’s servants aren’t lazy people who expect mana to fall from heaven. God’s servants are inventors, innovators and positive risk takers. They make things happen. And when they don’t, the world suppresses them and complicate their lives.

Refusing Responsibility

Those Israelites saw themselves as grasshoppers in front of the inhabitants of the Promised Land. So they never made it there. Cain wouldn’t seek to do what’s right in God’s eyes. He rather envied and killed his brother. The Pharisees wouldn’t engage in sincere inquiry. They were comfortable with their self-righteousness.

Some people don’t want to be in control of anything, run away from challenges. They want to be accountable for nothing.

But that’s an illusion. We have an adversary – the devil – he never makes things easy for us. It’s either you confront his schemes, overcome him and live a victorious life or sit quiet, do nothing and perish in destitution. He’s there to complicate your life – that’s his mission. You’ve got to take the bull by the horns. There’s no neutral ground in this matter.

Oppression & Suppression

People also suffer from well-organized oppression. Some oppressors and suppressors give you little chances to be proactive. They render you a utensil of their own progress. Some Superpowers have well-organized strategies to steal the resources of weaker nations. The cries of the children in the DRC, Syria, Libya, Sudan and other rich nations in tumult is, in part, the result of oppressive measures from organized multinationals to steal their wealth.

For Unknown Reasons

Olga never saw her parents. She has no clue how she came into this world. She’d love to live in a home with them giving her the protection she needs. But in the orphanage where she finds herself, she can only dream of such a life. She didn’t ask to be brought to this world. Yet, she’s here experiencing the heat of the days.

Fred and Alice can’t tell why they can’t have children. Doctors discovered no malfunctions in their reproductive systems. They’ve been trying for many years in vain. Who can explain what’s going on? But they keep trying.

Some people suffer for unknown reasons. They can’t explain why they’re going through the pain affecting their lives. They’re simply powerless in the situation.

A friend from the DRC comes from a community occupied by rebels from his birth. People live in terror and uncertainty over there. On social media last week, a truck lost control and drove into a house. A young man was killed and several others in the house injured.

It’s possible to suffer for doing nothing. This can result from a lack of proactiveness, creativity or from oppression and unknown reasons.

In 3.2, we’ll discover how these troubles affect us.

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In 2.2, we discovered there’s no way around persecution for every true believer. We also learned persecution leaves the believer with two options: either compromise or do God’s will in the situation. And Sometimes, persecution is used by God to prepare us for the next level of faith with Him.

With this understanding, how should we confront persecution?

This is an important question in the life of every true believer. It’s of absolute necessity to distinguish between suffering for Christ and suffering unnecessarily. In other words, there’s suffering which won’t do us any good and which we can avoid. Speaking through Peter, the Holy Spirit says, ‘‘But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters’’ (1 Peter 4:15, NKJV).

This type of suffering, though beneficial if handled God’s way, can be avoided. What’s the use of intentionally committing murder and spending twenty years in prison when you could have had a better impact on your life and those of others as an obedient free person?

Yet, the same passage says, ‘‘Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter’’ (1 Peter 4:12-14, 16, NKJV).

God clearly makes the distinction between suffering for Him and suffering unnecessarily. We should also learn to make the distinction between suffering for doing wrong things and suffering because of persecution. Suffering for doing wrong things requires another approach which was dealt with in Series 1. But suffering for doing good things is God’s will. The following steps are helpful to bring you out of persecution.

Know You’re Persecuted

It’s good to know when you’re persecuted and when you’re not. This understanding enables you to approach the situation with Godly logic. It gives you the desire to seek God’s will in the situation. The Psalmist says, ‘‘Teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wondrous works’’ (Psalm 119:26-27, NKJV)

Rejoice For Partaking In Christ’s Sufferings

Peter says, ‘‘rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy’’ (1 Peter 4:13). This should be the desire of every true believer. You see, a believer who desires physical comfort, material and financial prosperity yet neglects to suffer as a child of God has missed the point and can’t have a real impact in the Body of Christ and in the world.

Exercise Patience And Endurance

Again Peter says, ‘‘For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully’’ (1 Peter 2:19). Why? Well, he continues saying, ‘‘When you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps’’ (1 Peter 2:20-21, NKJV).

But it is also because God uses the persecution to promote the ways of His kingdom and to enrich us with overwhelming spiritual blessings. Jesus says, ‘‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?’’ (Matthew 5:44-46, NKJV).

Expect Miracles From God

When suffering for doing bad things, you don’t take things patiently. Peter asks; ‘‘For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?’’ (1 Peter 2:20). Those who suffer as rebels need to repent, seek God’s mercy and learn His ways before expecting a divine miraculous intervention to take them to the next level of faith with God.

But those who are persecuted need to rejoice for partaking in Christ’s sufferings, expect spiritual growth and vigilantly look forward to displaying God’s glory and immediately winning souls depending on the situation. You’ll see clear examples in the next post when we deal with the benefits of persecution.

Persecution, as you’ll see in 2.4, is a perfect opportunity to access the dark world, win souls and most especially find deliverance while being projected by God to a higher dimension of faith and walk with Him.

So expect persecution in your life as a follower of Christ. And when you’re persecuted, don’t get out of control. You’re perfectly in God’s will. God wants to use the situation to impact light into the kingdom of darkness around you. Your role is to rejoice, be patient, pray for wisdom in the situation and walk through the door God opens to demonstrate His glory.

‘‘But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit (1 Peter 3:14-18).

We’ll explore the benefits of persecution in the next post.

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