"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (JOHN 16:33b)." There are many characters in the Bible that experienced trials and tribulations throughout their personal journeys with the Lord. I would like to first draw a picture of one individual that suffered the pains of life through many hardships. Although, when spoken of, this person is mostly thought of by his faith and accomplishments he had with God, which were many.

Before this man's conversion he was a respectable educated politician among the religious groups of his day. He agreed with the philosophies of both the religious and political structure. His personal views of the early "Christian believers " disturbed his motives in life. Being of the Jewish heritage he refused the man called Christ which was in his mind causing confusion and disarray among the leaders of his sect. Therefore, we know through the reading of the Word that a persecution arose and was lead by this important figure, who no doubt assumed he was doing God a great service. We find that he was really nothing but a heathen , but to himself, life in general seemed good. Respect, wealth and knowledge among the businessmen, religious leaders and politicians of his day were just a few of his high qualities. Life was good it seemed. People looked upon him with envy, desiring to be in his position and to have his abilities. He enjoyed the benefits that came along with this honor.

I trust you are beginning to see the picture that is being painted. Without God, the trials of life are seen differently. The unbeliever sees his tribulations in life as "bad luck, bad days, or as someone’s out to get me attitude." Just as this individual we just describe, whom is none other then the Apostle Paul. During his rage against the believers of that day he viewed the tribulations of his life as if the Christians were going to destroy him and his dignity. They were his greatest threat for they came forth with the power of the Word. They refused to bow down to vain vanities and the babblings of man. Their (Christians)number one goal was to preach the gospel of the risen Christ, and it stirred up the religions of that day. This example is so common with our day.

When Apostle Paul was stricken down by the blinding light of God and submitted to the call that God had pre-ordained for him to carry out, he begin to understand what tribulation was all about. He seen that causing others to suffer wasn't going to ease the trials of life that we all must face. This type of mentality will never bring forth a victory, but will always bring forth more torment from the tormentor. He seen that there was a correct and victorious way one could face the tribulations of life without loosing the faith that God had measured out for each believer. He seen that this new kind of life came with a cost, and that was by realizing your position with the one that paid the cost. It brought you out from being a down trodden Christian, and placed you as one that declares "I am Content in whatsoever state I find myself in." (Phil. 4:11) By this the believer is able to know that he can be of good cheer.

Is it possible as a Christian, to express the testimony of contentment when it seems the trials and tribulations of life are so strong? Is it possible to have the joy of the Lord continually during the hard times? Is it possible to suffer through the disappointments and failures of life, still being able to express the power of God in your life? These experiences will come and no one is exempt from these forces of tribulation. . Although God was with Apostle Paul, he too experienced the trials of life in such a way one might wonder how he managed to practice this state of contentment.

"II CORINTHIANS 11:18-33", 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye [yourselves] are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour [you], if a man take [of you], if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool ) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by [mine own] countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

"II CORINTHIANS 12:7-10" And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The Christian that learns the state of contentment is the one that endures all things and is able to continually be in praise regardless of the circumstances in life, and this can only be done by the operation of faith. A great pioneer minister of the past once wrote these words."Faith endures, "as seeing Him who is invisible" (Heb. 11:27); endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognizing that ALL COMES FROM THE HAND OF HIM who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind. But, so long as we are occupied with any other object than God Himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. But, when we receive all that enters our lives as from His Hand, than no matter what may be our circumstances or surroundings...whether in a hovel, a prison-dungeon, or a martyr's stake...we shall be enable to say, "The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places" (Ps. 16:6). But that is the language of Faith, not of Sight or of Sense."

One great fact every believer must receive, that will enable him to endure the trials and tribulations of life is, "FAITH", and Faith is not activated just by hearing alone.

Romans 10:17 says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." This verse explains the process in which faith comes to us, but it doesn't explain the process of how to activate it. There are those that express their belief in faith, but the fruit of their testimony is dead when tribulation sets in. They have the sense ability to "hear" faith taught, but they lack the ability to put faith into action. Faith in action will make all things possible. God spoke to Noah and gave him the information or (gave him the revelation) of what was about to take place. He continued by revealing to Noah a way of escape, only if he would put the Word that was spoken to him into action by building a Ark that would provide security for him and his house. In the book of James the process in which faith is activated is shown. JAMES 2:17-18 " Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. " JAMES 2:21-24 " Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." This is a tremendous lesson for those of us that desire to understand the position of contentment in all things.

Most often scholars and theologians place the term "tribulation" under one category. It is thought of as something that is to take place in the future. This portion of scripture in St. John 16:33 is contrary to the future tribulation that is to come, but it identifies one that is presently going on now. It's a tribulation that each individual faces daily in his normal every day walk. It comes in the form of sickness, financial lack, family problems, work difficulties and the list goes on. But, Apostle Paul came along and showed the believer, not how we can overcome it, but who overcame it for us. Jesus did not say that we overcame it. He said, "I have overcome the world." Therefore, I no longer place confidence in myself, nor do I become independent to myself. I must by faith ( information through His Word) began to place all my confidence and dependence upon God and His Word. By the process of hearing, believing and acting it out in both confession and deed.

Confession is one of the most important acts of faith a Christian can manifest. The "Down Trodden Christian" never has a positive word of confession in their mouth. They always express doubt, disillusion, and negative thoughts. It never ceases to be amazing the type of confession that a down trodden Christian expresses when things are not going their way. Let sickness come and they will say, "I failed to get the flu shot," or "something must be going around, I knew I would get it," or "my great- grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother had it, so it was past down to me." This isn't faith talking, and it will most likely allow the tribulations of your life to mature more rapidly. It will trodden down the Christian's testimony causing more unbelief and less confidence in God and His Word. Their life will never be established upon the facts of God's written word, which gives us the faith (or information) for contentment, and good cheer .

The Down Trodden Christian is the one that places the blame on others, or even God himself in order to justify their defeat. This is the one that hears the word, but isn't a doer of the word. This is the one that speaks negatively and never experiences any kind of victories in life. This is one that claims to believe, but fails because of a defeated life that continually expresses negative confessions and the deeds of the "old man." This isn't to say that they are not saved. This isn't to say that they will be lost, but in the end it could destroy their victory to a grave disappointment. I personally don't believe that God paid such a cruel and unforgettable punishment of pain, agony and sorrow, by taking upon Himself the SINS of the human race, which enabled HIM to purchase a "Chosen People" who are called out by His name to be precipitants of His wonderful grace, and places them as His Son's and Daughters (I. Peter 2:9), to see them live life by their own self will, rather then accepting the will of God for their life.

The question that then arises is, "What causes those that claim to be living the Christian life to be so down trodden? Do they allow the tribulations of life to over ride God's Word? He said, "I have overcome the World"! If Christ boldly declared such a declaration He must then be showing us where our confidence should be placed. He must be showing us that the battle has been won, it is now over. We no longer have to be second rate citizens by trying to overcome within ourselves. We can now began to appropriate the Word of God with our confessions and actions. We then can say, "I can do all things through Jesus Christ which strengthens me!" When Sons and Daughters of God by Faith began to recognize who they are, they will be a invensible force. Not a down trodden group of people that murmur and complain, and then die in the wilderness. May God bless you!