If there is one thing we are guaranteed in life, it’s trouble. Regrettably, the Word of God never promises that once we are saved, or even once we are mature believers, all of our problems will magically cease.

Job 14:1

1 "Man, who is born of woman,

Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Job 5:7

7 For man is born for trouble,

As sparks fly upward.

However, the Bible does tell us how to get THROUGH our troubles. It’s a simple matter of focusing on the solution, instead of the problem. We have a spiritual “race” to run, and there’s only one way to get to the finish line:

Hebrews 12:1b-2

1 … and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (How? By…)

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Fixing our eyes is the Greek word APHORAO, which means to focus on, or to look intently at something. It has the connotation of learning how to do something, or looking at something or someone as an example. What did Jesus do? He looked at the joy set before Him, and not at the cross and the shame! We have to focus on Him to see how He ran His spiritual race, and learn from how He did it to accomplish OUR spiritual race!

Hebrews 12:2 says He is the:

Author, or ARCHEGOS which means leader. Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon defines this word as the one who begins something as the first in a series, thus supplying the impetus. Perfecter, TELEIOTES, means the finisher or the completer. So we are to look to Him to see how to start and finish our spiritual race.

How did He start? Willing to do the will of God.

Hebrews 10:5-9

5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says,

"SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED,

BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME;

6 IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE.

7 "THEN I SAID, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME

TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME)

How did Jesus FINISH the race?

Matthew 26:39

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Even faced with what He knew was going to be the most horrible experience that has ever occurred, He remained willing to do the will of His Father.

So when you have difficulties, (not if, but when) think about how Jesus Christ handled His problems.

God has a perfect will for your life, and your problems are a part of it! No matter what He wants you to do, you should be willing to do it! The only way to have that attitude is to look to our perfect example, Jesus Christ.