Joy in the Day of Trouble

By Pastor John Hagee

When storms arise, our first instinct is to ask God to take them away. We want Him to remove the hurt, the betrayal, the crisis. Yet Jesus Himself, sweating great drops of blood in Gethsemane, prayed, “If it is possible, take this cup from Me.” But He didn’t stop there. He surrendered fully: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” The same God who had a plan for Christ’s suffering has a plan for your storm. What looks like pain may be preparation. What feels like loss may be the birthplace of strength.

Paul pleaded three times for God to remove his thorn in the flesh, but God refused, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” The Lord uses our weakness to reveal His power and remind us that we are never enough without Him. Just as God called ancient Israel to repentance, He calls America today: humble yourselves, pray, turn from wickedness, and He will heal our land. When we return to Him in righteousness, He will turn our trouble into triumph and our weakness into joy.