Initial trouble and more trouble
By Keith Williamson Special to the Sentinel

Dealing with trouble leads to more trouble, and that eventually leads to peace. Running away from the initial trouble in order to avoid more trouble down the road is the worst decision you can make.

Do you buy this? I do.

I'll use Abram, later to be called Abraham, as an example. The initial trouble is that God called Abram to leave where he was living and go to a place God would show him. Please note God didn't tell him exactly where to go. God just said he would tell Abram at the right time.

A drastic change of life just because God tells you to do something qualifies as major trouble. One's entire life will be changed forever. Abram's certainly was.

If you know Abraham s story told in Genesis chapters 12 -25, his problems were just beginning. He would constantly have trouble living one adventure after another until he finally died of old age at 175.

The Bible is full of similar stories. I could mention Paul and others in the New Testament whose initial trouble led to more trouble and then peace, but I would like to mention one who did not deal with his initial trouble; the rich young man of Matthew 19.

The young man's trouble was that Jesus wanted him to sell what he had. Then he could come and follow Jesus like his other disciples. Unwilling to do so, he went away sorrowful.

Dealing with the original trouble leads to more trouble, but not doing so leads to a life of regret. That is what the rich young man received.

I don't know what God has asked of you, or even if he has asked yet, but following his command is better than living with regret. More trouble eventually leads to peace and rest; regret only leads to more regret.