Proverbs 3:11,12 - Sources of Trials & Troubles

"THE COCOON"
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly and one day a small opening
appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it
struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to
stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as
it could and it could go no farther. The man decided to help the
butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining tip
of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a
swollen body and small shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the
butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge
and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in
time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its
life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It
never was able to fly. What the man in his kindness and haste did not
understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for
the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of
forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it
would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the
cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God
allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would
cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we
could never fly.

Some Trials Come From God For Our Good.

Prov 3:11, 12 (NIV)  My son, do not despise the Lord's
discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those
he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Most Trials & Troubles Result From Our Own Doing.

Gal 6:7, 8 (NIV)  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A
man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful
nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to
please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Many Trials Come From The Sinful World About Us.

John 16:33b (KJV)  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Some Trials Come From Satan Who Is Out To Destroy Us.

1 Pet 5:8, 9 (GWT)  Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your
opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for
someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that
other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind
of suffering.

Christians Should Expect Trials From Living For Christ.

2 Tim 3:12 (KJV)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ
Jesus shall suffer persecution.

The Prophets Of Old Had Their Trials So Why Shouldn't We.

Luke 6:22, 23 (NLT)  God blesses you who are hated and excluded
and mocked and cursed because you are identified with me, the Son of
Man. When that happens, rejoice! Yes, leap for joy! For a great
reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were
also treated that way by your ancestors.

Jesus Had His Trials And If We Choose To Live For Him We Can
Expect Them Too.

1 Pet 4:12, 13 (KJV)  Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.

The Road To Heaven Is Filled With Tribulation.

Acts 14:22b (KJV)  we must through much tribulation enter into
the kingdom of God.

Tribulation Prepares The Christian For Heaven.

James 1:2-4 (NLT)  Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble
comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.  For when your faith
is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow,
for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in
character and ready for anything.

James 1:12 (NIV)  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,
because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life
that God has promised to those who love him.

Tribulation Here Doesn't Even Compare With The Glory Of The
World To Come.

Rom 8:18 (NLT)  Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to
the glory he will give us later.

In the full light of day, and in hearing of the music of other
voices, the caged bird will not sing the song that this master seeks to
teach him.  He learns a snatch of this, a trill of that, but never a
separate and entire melody.  But the master covers the cage, and places
it where the bird will listen to the one song he is to sing.  In
the dark, he tries and tries again to sing that song until it is
learned, and he breaks forth in perfect melody.  Then the bird is brought
forth, and ever after he can sing that song in the light.  Thus God
deals with His children.  He has a song to teach us, and when we have
learned it amid the shadows of affliction, we can sing it ever
afterward.  MH472