Encouragement Letters

Good morning Friend,

In my last letter to you, I addressed the issues of loss, affliction, and pain . . . all of which are frequently mentioned in the Bible. I also mentioned the involvement of God in these various types of suffering. God is not an uninvolved by-stander. He is very engaged in every detail of our lives, including our troubles. So here is the big question . . . WHERE DO OUR PERSONAL TROUBLES COME FROM? DO THEY COME FROM GOD? OR, DO THEY COME FROM SATAN? I could quickly answer the question by saying that they sometimes come from God and that they sometimes come from Satan. That is both an easy answer and it is a truthful answer. But the question deserves a more thorough answer after searching the Scriptures.

Sometimes, SATAN is the source of our troubles. This is evident in several biblical stories.

1. JOB'S STORY. The book of Job tells Job's story. The first two chapters of the book state that Satan was the root cause of Job's losses and pains. Surprisingly, the text says that God gave Satan permission to attack Job. But God had Satan `on a leash.' God didn't give Satan unlimited permission. He allowed Satan to go `only so far' and no further. Satan is mentioned at least eleven times in these two opening chapters.

2. PETER'S STORY. In Luke 22:31, after the last supper, Jesus and Peter had a personal conversation. Often Jesus and Peter were alone in conversation as recorded in the Scriptures. This was a very special conversation. Jesus said this to Peter . . . Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. Jesus then told Peter that Satan would cause Peter three times to deny Him, saying that he didn't know Jesus. The denial was repeated three times . . . once, again, and again . . . I don't know Jesus. The rest of chapter 22 reveals the well-known story of Satan's temptation of Peter and Peter's triple denial. Again in verse 31, Satan asks Jesus for permission to tempt Peter and Jesus gives Satan permission. Again, Satan was `on a leash' and could go `only so far.' Isn't it good to know that Satan can go only so far in bringing any temptation or attack upon us.

3. PAUL'S STORY. II Corinthians 12 relates the account of Paul's `thorn in the flesh.' The text doesn't identify what it was but it was a severe physical problem that brought concern to Paul. Paul prayed three times for God to remove the issue from Paul's body. Paul was right in knowing that God could do so. God, however, chose to do something better. Rather than removing the affliction, God promised generous portions of His grace and His power to Paul. Paul explained that his `thorn in the flesh' was a messenger of Satan. He knew it was caused and delivered by Satan.

4. JESUS STORY. Satan `even' tempted Jesus, as taught in Matthew 4. Quite unbelievable. Satan fully knew who Jesus was. He knew that He was Lord of Lords and that someday Jesus would reign as Lord over everything. Yet, Satan tried to attack Jesus. My friend, don't be surprised when Satan targets you.

Is Satan still around? Peter answers that question when he said this in his first epistle (5:8-9) . . . Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist Him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering. Satan was on the prowl then . . . and he is still on the prowl. As we approach the end of human history, we can likely expect that Satan will not be less ferocious but he will be more ferocious.

Sometimes, GOD is the source of our troubles. The writers of the Scriptures never hesitated to say that our troubles and pressures often come from the Lord. In reading the book of Job, Job knew that God was behind all of his tough times. He stated that often. In chapter 42:11, he and his friends look back at all the horrors and terrors that Job experienced. When it was over there was a big celebration of joy. They gathered to remember all the trouble the Lord had brought on him.

In conclusion, sometimes our tough times come from Satan. Sometimes they come from the Lord. Indeed God not only allows our troubles. Often he orchestrates them.

Finally, whether our trials come from Satan or from the Lord, or even if Satan and God are both involved in our troubles, know this: No matter what the source might be . . . BE ASSURED THAT THE PURPOSES AND GOALS ARE DIAMETRICALLY DIFFERENT. Satan's goals will always be to destroy us. God's goals will be to build us up . . . to strengthen us . . . to cause new growth . . . to make us more like Jesus.

Be encouraged,

Lareau Lindquist

Founder, Senior Associate