The Morning When I Troubled Trouble!

When you are tired and resting, you certainly don’t want anyone to disturb your peace. If they do, then you would probably get angry and possibly show or tell them what you stand for. Well, today I want to encourage you not to trouble “Trouble” when it’s resting—allow it to stay rested, and do not disturb it. If it is disturbed, then be prepared to face the consequences that may follow. Trouble doesn’t have the sense to forgive, so it’s best to keep yourself far from it or be ready to face its wrath, since that’s all it knows to do.

One day, before going into a taxi, the driver asked the commuters not to enter unless they had change, the exact fare. Unlike some commuters, I had my change, so I was qualified to enter. While on my way, an evil voice from the spiritual realm—an inner voice—tempted me to say I didn’t have any change, and sadly, I yielded. As soon as the driver heard those words, he instantly stopped the car and, in anger, told me to get out. The way he vented his frustration made me get out faster than I had entered.

The moment I stepped out, I heard a barrage of expletives. The driver didn’t just put me out; he unleashed a storm of profanity that felt like a curse-blast to my ears. Still, I counted my blessings because he attacked me only with words. My poor decision could have caused far worse. The man could have engaged me in a physical fight, and I would certainly have lost the battle. Yes, I saved my bus fare, but I certainly didn’t go scot-free. I had to walk the rest of the journey, my reward for troubling “Trouble.” If I had ignored that inner voice, I would have reached my destination in peace.

I was fortunate that man mastered his temper; I thank God he thought wisely in the end. From that experience, and many others, I learned that the next time I see “Trouble” resting or minding its own business, I should mind my own too. My time is too precious to spend on things that bring pain and strife. When we disturb “Trouble,” we punish ourselves—it becomes self-inflicted pain.

Today, and in the days ahead, let’s stop searching for trouble. Proverbs 11:27 reminds us: “Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor but evil comes to him who searches for it.”

Let’s choose peace. Let’s choose wisdom. Let’s choose the path that leads to favor.